Joe Burrow has created a strong fan following in his first three seasons of the league — earning Pro Bowl nods, back-to-back AFC Championship Game appearances, one conference title…and getting placed on a pedestal with Patrick Mahomes.
The Cincinnati Bengals‘ franchise quarterback, however, has already declared who’s better between him and the man who’s guided the Kansas City Chiefs to two Super Bowl wins since February 2020.
Joe Burrows Shows Patrick Mahomes Sign of Respect
Speaking with the Cincinnati media on Tuesday, Burrow was asked who he believes is the “best quarterback in the world right now.” He didn’t hesitate to pivot away from praising himself.
“I don’t think there’s any argument right now. It’s Patrick [Mahomes],” Burrow said. “Until someone has a better year than he’s had. He’s the one to knock off.”
#Bengals QB Joe Burrow on who the best QB in the world is right now: “I don’t think there’s any argument right now. It’s Patrick [Mahomes]. Until someone has a better year than he’s had. He’s the one to knock off.”pic.twitter.com/8vWm5N58Dd
— Ari Meirov (@MySportsUpdate) June 13, 2023
That’s praise and mutual respect considering the fact that Burrow’s and Mahomes’ teams have battled for AFC supremacy over the last two seasons. There was also the “Burrowhead” reference from Burrow’s Cincinnati teammate Mike Hilton following the romp of the Buffalo Bills in the Divisional Round — which only sparked the growing rivalry between both conference powers.
When Was Burrow Drafted?
Burrow went No. 1 overall in 2020 — becoming the first LSU quarterback to be taken as the first overall selection. A dominating career of winning the Heisman Trophy and guiding the Tigers to the national title game rout of Clemson and eventual 2021 No. 1 pick Trevor Lawrence helped Burrow parlay into first-round status.
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Burrow’s arrival to the league came two years after the Texas Tech Red Raiders standout Mahomes went No. 10 overall in the 2018 draft. Now, both have been on their own collision course for top NFL QB and the face of the league.
Burrow’s and Mahomes’ Careers So Far
Both passers are still relatively young by NFL standards. Mahomes won’t turn 28 until September but is entering his seventh NFL season. Burrow, meanwhile, is a year younger than the two-time Super Bowl MVP.
But statistically speaking, are both similar in trajectory?
In looking at Mahomes’ first four seasons, he wasn’t thrown into the fire immediately a la Burrow. Mahomes only had one start in his rookie year while primarily backing up veteran Alex Smith. Burrow, meanwhile, entered a Bengals building that practically handed him the keys to the car right away. That rookie campaign ended with a 2-7-1 mark and a torn ACL.
Year 2 was when both Mahomes and Burrow really took off…and set off the early reminder that they were going to be playing for Pro Bowls and Super Bowls.
Mahomes’ second season witnessed these astronomical marks: 5,097 yards passing, 50 touchdowns, 12 interceptions, and a division-winning 12-4 season that ended with an AFC Championship loss.
Burrow’s season two campaign? A division crown, 4,611 yards through the air, 34 touchdown passes, 14 interceptions, and three postseason victories — including the comeback upset over Mahomes’ Chiefs to go to Super Bowl 56.
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In addition to reaching the big game, Burrow also managed to better Mahomes in one statistical category that season. The Bengals’ QB completed 70.4% of his throws compared to Mahomes’ 66.0.
Furthermore, for Burrow fans, the Cincinnati star has higher numbers in yardage and touchdowns compared to the multiple Super Bowl winner. Burrow’s 11,774 career passing yards through his first three seasons are more than the 9,412 Mahomes delivered in his first trio of NFL years. His 82 TD passes during that first three years are also more than Mahomes’ 76 across his own first three seasons.
With that said, both players have the same regular-season victories (24) before heading into their respective fourth seasons.
While Burrow may have the better yards and touchdown marks to start compared to Mahomes, the former is two Super Bowl appearances behind. Burrow has also yet to experience what Mahomes has done twice: Place his fingers on the Vince Lombardi Trophy.
He’s been everything the Bengals have asked right away, but Burrow clearly believes it’s Mahomes who holds the title of best NFL quarterback.
