Since being drafted by the Cincinnati Bengals in 2020, Joe Burrow has been widely viewed as one of the NFL’s brightest young stars. He’s taken a struggling franchise and turned it into a legitimate contender, leading the Bengals to a Super Bowl appearance and back-to-back AFC Championship Games in 2021 and 2022.
With his cool demeanor, pinpoint accuracy, and ability to shine in big moments, Burrow has built a reputation as one of the most poised and confident passers in the game.
But not everyone is convinced he belongs among the NFL’s truly elite quarterbacks. Former Super Bowl champion Chris Canty recently made headlines with a bold take on ESPN’s “First Take,” arguing that Burrow isn’t on the same level as the best of the best. In a league filled with star quarterbacks, Canty believes Burrow is just a step below the truly elite tier — and he didn’t hold back in explaining why.
Chris Canty Says ‘Joe Burrow Is Not an Elite QB’
Canty, who won a Super Bowl with the New York Giants, didn’t hold back when discussing Burrow’s status. He used a medal stand analogy to emphasize that there are only a few quarterbacks deserving of the “elite” label, and Burrow isn’t one of them.
“He’s not an elite quarterback. We’ve gotta get out of this thing where we wanna anoint everyone an elite quarterback,” Canty said. “We can’t give the runner-up to the runner-up to the runner-up elite quarterback status. There ain’t but three spots on the medal stand.
“When we start talking about the podium, it’s a gold medal spot, it’s a silver medal spot, and it’s a bronze medal spot. The fourth-place guy don’t get an acknowledgment, and that’s where I’m at with the Joe Burrow of it all.”
"[Joe Burrow] is not an elite quarterback." —@ChrisCanty99 😳 pic.twitter.com/EnXJNiyPwK
— First Take (@FirstTake) January 31, 2025
Bengals’ Recent Struggles: A Factor in the Debate?
Canty’s comments sparked immediate debate. Burrow’s supporters point to his playoff success, his ability to go toe-to-toe with Patrick Mahomes, and his leadership in turning around a historically struggling franchise. His critics, however, argue that injuries and recent struggles by the Bengals have kept him from maintaining the consistency needed to be called “elite.”
Burrow’s first two full seasons as a starter were nothing short of spectacular. In 2021, he led the Bengals to an AFC Championship and a Super Bowl appearance, falling just short against the Los Angeles Rams. The following year, he got them back to the AFC title game only to lose to the Kansas City Chiefs.
But over the last two seasons, things have taken a turn. The Bengals have finished with back-to-back 9-8 records, missing the playoffs in both seasons despite having a roster many expected to contend for another deep postseason run.
A major reason for the team’s struggles has been Burrow’s health. In 2023, a calf injury slowed him at the start of the year, and later, a wrist injury ended his season after just 10 games.
Beyond Burrow, Cincinnati’s defense has taken a step back. In 2021 and 2022, their defense was one of the most underrated units in football, making key stops when needed. But in 2023 and 2024, the Bengals ranked near the bottom of the league in total defense and struggled to get off the field in key moments (Defense+ grade: 73.3 in 2023; 66.9 in 2024).
Canty’s argument hinges on the idea that only three quarterbacks at a time can be considered “elite.” While that’s a strict definition, it does raise an interesting discussion.
With Mahomes clearly holding the No. 1 spot given his repeated success at the highest level, names like Josh Allen, Lamar Jackson, and even rising stars like Jayden Daniels have entered the conversation. Burrow’s talent is undeniable, but is he a top-three quarterback in the NFL when healthy?