Joe Burrow Ranked No. 4 Quarterback in ESPN NFL Survey

Cincinnati quarterback Joe Burrow was recently named the No. 4 quarterback in the NFL, according to ESPN’s survey of NFL coaches, scouts and executives.

The list in full:

1. Josh Allen

2. Patrick Mahomes

3. Matthew Stafford

4. Joe Burrow

5. Lamar Jackson

6. Dak Prescott

7. Justin Herbert

8. Drake Maye

9. Jared Goff

10. Caleb Williams

Burrow being at No. 4 is, all things considered, a pretty big compliment. He’s missed 16 games over the last three seasons, but he’s made it clear that when he’s healthy, he has a case to be the best quarterback in the NFL. His combination of processing, arm strength, accuracy and mobility sets him apart from the pack and proves he is truly elite, in the class of Allen, Mahomes and Stafford.

Any claims that Burrow may be overrated due to a lack of playoff success fall flat once you remember that he made the Super Bowl in 2021 and the AFC Championship Game in 2022. Over his career, he has a 157-to-51 touchdown-to-interception ratio with a 101.1 passer rating.

His worst season from a completion-percentage standpoint was his rookie year, when he completed just 65.3% of his passes across 10 games. He had an MVP-caliber season in 2024, throwing for 43 touchdowns and nine interceptions with just under 5,000 yards (4,918), while completing 70.6% of his passes. That was his last full season in which he stayed healthy, and it is a big reason many think the Bengals can be a Super Bowl contender this season, given the revamped defense they’ve brought in to complement Burrow.

I’m not going to argue that Burrow should be ahead of any of the three players in front of him. Stafford looked borderline superhuman in 2025 and is showing no signs of slowing down. Patrick Mahomes has three Super Bowl rings, despite his recent injury raising questions about how impactful he could be this year, while Josh Allen is one of the most dangerous players in the NFL as both a runner and a thrower.

This season, Burrow has already taken on more of a leadership role while raising expectations within the organization. All the drama surrounding extensions for both Ja’Marr Chase and Tee Higgins is way in the rearview mirror, and the front office has taken care of him on the opposite side of the ball. Don’t be surprised if, at this time next year, Burrow is in the top two on the same list, if not No. 1 all by himself.