Kyle Shanahan witnessed Burrow's intense competitiveness firsthand at a flag football event.
Joe Burrow has established himself as one of the NFL’s most productive quarterbacks since entering the league as the No. 1 overall pick in 2020. After an injury-shortened rookie season, Burrow quickly developed into the centerpiece of the Cincinnati Bengals.
Through six seasons, Burrow has thrown for 20,810 yards and 157 touchdowns while completing 68.5 percent of his passes, good for a 101.1 passer rating. His most dominant year came in 2024, when he led the NFL with 4,918 passing yards and 43 touchdowns, joining a small group of quarterbacks to surpass 4,500 yards and 40 touchdowns in a single season with fewer than 10 interceptions.
His production has translated to team success, including a run to Super Bowl in 2022 and multiple playoff appearances, while earning Pro Bowl selections and league-wide recognition.
Kyle Shanahan Discussed Joe Burrow’s Competitiveness
Burrow’s consistency has made him one of the most respected quarterbacks in the league among coaches, players and executives, and he continues to draw attention for his approach to the game in any setting.
That was again evident during his appearance at the Fanatics Flag Football Classic, where he played under San Francisco 49ers head coach Kyle Shanahan. Even in an exhibition environment, Burrow’s competitiveness stood out.
Shanahan recently recalled having to pull Burrow aside during the event:
“I grabbed him one time and I’m like ‘dude, just chill out, man.’”
He also described a moment from practice when Burrow collided with Logan Paul during a flag attempt:
“I remember in our first practice, Logan Paul ran full speed to try and grab his flag and he made a move, and they kinda collided. I’m just sitting there like ‘oh my god, we got YouTubers running into quarterbacks.’”
Burrow’s performance at the event was similar to the efficiency he has shown throughout his NFL career. Playing for the Wildcats FFC, he completed 30 of 41 passes for 196 yards, four touchdowns and one interception across three games, leading his team to a runner-up finish.
The event, held at BMO Stadium in Los Angeles, featured a mix of NFL players, former athletes and celebrities as part of a broader push to promote flag football ahead of the 2028 Olympics. Despite the relaxed format, Burrow approached the competition with the same intensity that has defined his professional career.
Over the course of his career totals, Burrow has thrown for 20,810 yards and 157 touchdowns, despite battling with injuries in recent years. Last season, he played just eight games, finishing with 1,809 yards, 17 touchdowns and five interceptions.
With the Bengals looking to return to the playoffs after three straight disappointing seasons, Burrow is expected to have another career year in 2026.