Known as part of the NFL’s ‘Big 4,’ Joe Burrow, Patrick Mahomes, Josh Allen, and Lamar Jackson have been dominant figures in the league for five years. However, at 29, Burrow remains the only one without an MVP title. Determined to change this, he targets the upcoming season with new goals.
Burrow, drafted first in 2020, recently appeared on GQ’s ’10 Essentials.’ He unsurprisingly selected a football among his top items. ‘It has brought me many good fortunes in life,’ Burrow remarked. ‘I wouldn’t be here without this football. I can throw it accurately. Kind of far, just not as far as most. I always keep one in my car, just in case.’
When questioned about his aims for 2026, Burrow didn’t hesitate to share, ‘I have all the goals for this season. MVP, Super Bowl, win a lot of games, and enjoy it.’
In his second year, Burrow led the Bengals to Super Bowl LVI, but they fell to the Los Angeles Rams. The following year they reached the AFC Championship Game, where they lost to the Kansas City Chiefs. Postseason appearances have since evaded them. Burrow’s injuries alongside one of the league’s weakest defenses have contributed to this.
In 2023, Burrow missed seven games due to a wrist ligament injury requiring surgery. In 2024, he returned full-strength, leading the NFL with 4,918 yards and 43 touchdowns. Yet, the Bengals’ 9-8 record left them out of the postseason. The 2025 season saw Burrow absent for nine games due to turf toe, culminating in a 6-11 finish.
Last December, Burrow shared personal struggles stemming from injuries in a sincere press conference. ‘It doesn’t change my desire to win,’ he said. ‘If I want to continue, I have to enjoy it. I’ve been through a lot, and if it’s not enjoyable, then what is the point?’ This mindset seems to reflect in his more positive mood during the GQ interview.
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