The debate over Joe Burrow’s place among the NFL’s top quarterbacks is never short on opinions. Burrow, the 2020 No. 1 overall pick and one-time Super Bowl starter, is often listed alongside the game’s elite. But not everyone is convinced he belongs in that conversation, especially after a frustrating 2024 campaign in Cincinnati.
Burrow battled through injuries and inconsistency last season, and the Bengals missed the playoffs for the second year in a row. That finish has sparked new questions about whether Burrow should still be considered a top 5 quarterback. And this week, one former NFL wide receiver added fuel to that debate.
Cincinnati Bengals’ 2024 NFL Season Losses Fuel Analyst’s Critique of Joe Burrow’s ‘Elite’ Label
During Friday’s episode of FS1’s “The Facility,” Super Bowl champion James Jones made it clear he does not view Burrow as elite, and pointed directly to the Bengals’ eight losses in 2024 as his reasoning.
“I’m going to just let the quarterback have it in this situation right here,” Jones said. “I am not going to have him in that elite conversation because it’s three years in a row, you do not make the playoffs.”
Jones acknowledged the defense struggled at times, but he argued that Burrow too often failed to deliver in key moments. He walked through several examples. In the Week 1 loss to the New England Patriots, Burrow threw for just 164 yards with no touchdowns, a stat line Jones compared to Jacoby Brissett’s similar output that day.
He also pointed to the Week 2 loss to the Kansas City Chiefs, where Burrow’s late fumble helped seal a Bengals defeat despite an otherwise strong performance. “Why did they lose? Because he fumbled at the end of the game,” Jones said.
.@89JonesNTAF doubles down on not labeling Joe Burrow a Top 5 QB if he misses the playoffs 3 straight times 👀 pic.twitter.com/IweSCtTC9t
— The Facility (@TheFacilityFS1) May 30, 2025
Jones continued breaking down other losses, including a shootout against Lamar Jackson’s Baltimore Ravens, where Burrow’s late interception proved costly, and a matchup with the Philadelphia Eagles in which Jalen Hurts outplayed him.
Aaron Rodgers’ former go-to guy also called out a key decision in a second loss to Baltimore, where Burrow failed to capitalize on a one-on-one opportunity with Ja’Marr Chase in a critical moment, and the season finale loss to the Pittsburgh Steelers, where Russell Wilson looked like the Russell Wilson of old.
“So in his losses, as much as we want to talk about the defense, Joe Burrow ain’t delivered, man,” Jones said. “Or he might have delivered, but the other quarterback balled a little bit harder than him and won the football game.”
Statistically, Burrow still posted strong numbers in 2024, finishing with 4,918 passing yards, 43 touchdowns, and nine interceptions. But the Bengals went 9-8 and missed the postseason, adding to the narrative that Burrow’s individual stats have not translated to enough team success lately.
Whether that falls squarely on Burrow or reflects a more complex set of team issues remains a topic of debate. But at least in Jones’ eyes, the Bengals quarterback has work to do before reclaiming a spot among the league’s elite.
An average at best wide receiver with a microphone showing he doesn’t truly understand how things work.
Jones is right. An elite quarterback runs time off the clock when they’re is a big lead in the game. An elite quarterback doesn’t blow off the first games of the season because of a long season. A loss is a loss. Only 17 regular season games. A great quarterback should be very vocal for the whole team. Not just the offensive side. My prediction? Bengals finish at 9 and 8 again. Sorry Joe, gotta root for the whole team, not just you’re offensive juggernaut players. The team deserves better.