Cincinnati fans were chanting “M-V-P” during the home finale win over Denver, but NFL analysts, like Troy Aikman, and even opposing players, like Cowboys linebacker Micah Parsons, have said Burrow should win the award.
Bengals coach Zac Taylor, although perhaps biased, gave a strong endorsement for him as well.
“I don’t know how anybody can stand on the field and watch Joe Burrow and not say he’s the best player in the world,” Taylor said after Saturday’s win. “You can transfer that argument to Ja’Marr Chase as well and you can argue those two to death. But the clearest thing I can say is I would not trade Joe Burrow for any player in the universe. To me, that’s MVP to me.”
Joe Burrow speaks to the media. https://t.co/ga9LtJ5kK1
— Cincinnati Bengals (@Bengals) December 31, 2024
Until recently, the race seemed to be coming down to Ravens quarterback Lamar Jackson and Bills quarterback Josh Allen. However, the Bengals late surge after a 4-8 start, has put Burrow into the mix.
Burrow last week became the first player in NFL history to throw for 250 yards and three touchdowns in eight consecutive games, and he is leading the NFL with 4,641 passing yards and 42 touchdowns against just six interceptions.
Had Cincinnati won even just one of the games against Baltimore — a one-point loss and a three-point overtime defeat — or beaten Kansas City, instead of giving up a last-second field goal for a 26-25 loss, Burrow would be an easy pick. His performance, and connection with Ja’Marr Chase, is the only reason the Bengals even still have a shot at the postseason. However, Burrow said he doesn’t think he will win MVP because usually it goes to a player on a division-winning team.
“It is what it is,” Burrow said. “That’s how it’s voted. I don’t necessarily disagree with it, I would say.”
Burrow said it does mean something to him that he finished No. 2 in Pro Bowl voting at his position, trailing only Washington’s Jayden Daniels. Pro Bowl selections will be announced Thursday. He also said he would be proud to win the Associated Press Comeback Player of the Year award for a second time after earning it in 2021 following 2020 knee surgery.
For now, though, he is focused on beating the Pittsburgh Steelers in a divisional rivalry game he recognizes “means a lot to the city, to the organization, to the owners, coaches, players.” It’s big for the team’s season, as well, but the Bengals aren’t in control of their own fate even with a win.
Burrow won’t let himself think about the missed opportunities that came with seven losses by a touchdown or less. That’s something he is more likely to reflect on after the season, especially if the Bengals miss the playoffs.
“It’s not great,” Burrow said. “We’ve put ourselves in this spot. Can’t complain about it. But we can control what we can control, and that’s going out and trying to win a game on Saturday night.”
Burrow also is trying not to think about the possibility this could be his last game with Tee Higgins and Ja’Marr Chase together on the same team. Chase has a fifth-year option the Bengals exercised for 2025, but Higgins played on a franchise tag this season and both players are seeking long-term deals.
Three weeks ago, Burrow surprised with a bold, unsolicited, statement that he would do whatever it takes to make sure the Bengals can keep Higgins, and he said Tuesday he thinks he is still as confident that can happen.
“I haven’t really thought about that,” Burrow said of a possible final game together. “It’s obviously a possibility, not one that I’m excited about, but that’s not in the plans, I would say.”
The Bengals have watched key players walk before, and some of them have gone on to individual and team success elsewhere. Safety Jessie Bates, who signed with Atlanta in 2023, leads the NFL in combined interceptions and forced fumbles with eight and is considered one of the Falcons best free agent pickups in franchise history. Defensive tackle D.J. Reader left for Detroit this past offseason and is now making an impact on a Super Bowl-caliber team, while Cincinnati’s defense has floundered until recently.
“You don’t want to make a living out of letting great players leave the building,” Burrow said when asked what he thinks when he sees former teammates find success elsewhere. “I think that’s why you’ve got to do everything you can to get those deals done early.”
The Bengals will have a long offseason to work something out with Higgins and/or Chase if this weekend doesn’t go in their favor. Burrow is preparing to do everything he can to beat the Steelers, even if it becomes another shootout like the 44-38 game they played Dec. 1.
“I’m always ready to go and put up as many points as we need to and drop back as many times as I need to go and win,” Burrow said. “I’m prepared for anything.”
SATURDAY’S GAME
Bengals at Steelers, 8 p.m., ABC, ESPN, 700, 1530, 102.7, 104.7
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