Joe Burrow had one of the most impressive seasons of his career, but it wasn't enough to propel the Cincinnati Bengals to the playoffs. Despite passing for 4,918 yards and 43 touchdowns—leading the NFL in both categories—Burrow's season concluded with the Bengals finishing 9-8, watching postseason action from home.
The season began on rocky ground for Burrow and the Bengals, with the team starting at 4-8 before winning their last five games. Such resilience sparked speculation about Burrow's standing for the Most Valuable Player (MVP) award, which he contended with Prescott, Lamar Jackson, and Saquon Barkley. He made headlines as the top passer according to Pro Football Focus (PFF), winning their coveted Best Passer title after earning 24 votes against his competitors.
Throughout the 2024 NFL season, Burrow led not only the league in passing yards, touchdowns, and attempts but also showcased significant skills under pressure. He achieved remarkable metrics, such as completing 75.6% of his passes under duress, and posting 17 big-time throws, the best figures across the league. Remarkably, he accomplished this amid considerable obstacles, including inconsistent performances from his offensive line and the absence of key receivers like Tee Higgins due to injury.
Burrow's passing capabilities highlighted just how devastating injuries and inconsistencies weighed on the Bengals’ overall performance. The offensive line struggled, leading to pressures on Burrow more than anyone else, yet he maintained effectiveness under those circumstances, completing 58.5% of his passes and amassing 1,438 yards as well as 15 touchdowns under pressure alone. These statistics vividly illustrated why Burrow's PFF passing grade reached 92.8, the best league-wide.
After the season finale—with the Bengals narrowly defeating the Pittsburgh Steelers 19-17—Burrow took to Instagram. Alongside Ja'Marr Chase and Tee Higgins, he shared photos of their coin toss, reflecting on their season with the caption: "Season toremember, sorry you won't get to watch anymore. Year 5 in the books."
Chase's comment on the post encapsulated Burrow's burgeoning status, stating: "MVP LOADING." The sentiment around Burrow's performance this season positioned him firmly within the MVP conversation, yet the disappointing absence of postseason football loomed large. His achievement mirrored past Hall of Famers, making him the only the third player to throw for 40 touchdowns without entering the playoffs, joining legends like Dan Marino and Drew Brees.
The Bengals faced changes following the season conclusion, with several key coaching staff members dismissed, including defensive coordinator Lou Anarumo and offensive line coach Frank Pollack. Coach Zac Taylor expressed optimism about the team's future, highlighting Cincinnati's appeal and its passionate fanbase, declaring: "I think it's got to be as appealing as it could possibly be... it's the best fan base in all the world."
Looking toward the upcoming season, Taylor affirmed the focus on starting strong: "We're going to work like hell to make sure we start the season the right way to put ourselves in a great position to finish like we did." The Bengals managed to wrap things up positively, but the specter of what could have been loomed large over the performance and potential of Burrow and his teammates.
Despite these challenges, Burrow's legacy as quarterback is reinforced, casting him as one of the frontrunners for the MVP honor. His mix of resilience, talent, and high-level performance leaves hopes high for the Bengals' prospects next season. For now, his reputation solidifies his status not only as the team leader but also as one of the NFL's premier quarterbacks, demonstrating both the highs and lows of the game.