After a solid 2024 campaign, bouncing back from a wrist injury late in the season, Cincinnati Bengals quarterback Joe Burrow missed the majority of the 2025 season after suffering a turf toe and ligament injury against the Jacksonville Jaguars in Week 2. While he was able to return in Week 13 with a slim chance to guide Cincinnati back to the playoffs, a 24-0 loss to the Baltimore Ravens in Week 15 would end the Bengals’ postseason hopes.
Now with the 2026 season on the horizon, a former Super Bowl champion has called out the Bengals’ signal-caller for his lack of availability despite Cincinnati going all out to build an offense to complement his strengths.
Former Super Bowl Champion Chris Canty Calls Out Bengals QB Joe Burrow
There’s no denying the fact that Burrow has changed the trajectory of the Bengals franchise since the team selected him first overall in the 2020 NFL Draft. His presence, along with other top-notch weapons such as wide receivers Ja’Marr Chase and Tee Higgins, helped the Bengals reach Super Bowl 56, Cincinnati’s first Super Bowl appearance since Super Bowl 23.
However, Burrow has missed significant time in his NFL career due to injuries. Yet he’s been able to bounce back, earning the NFL’s Comeback Player of the Year award twice. Yet, after another shortened season where the Bengals missed the playoffs, some are starting to doubt how effective Burrow really is for Cincinnati, including former Super Bowl champion defensive end Chris Canty.
Somebody on TV had to say it!!! pic.twitter.com/YaCVOXmBxb
— Shaquill Burton (@shaqburton) July 21, 2026
On ESPN’s First Take, Canty claimed Burrow was not a top-5 quarterback in the league, stating, “I don’t get it. First of all, the best ability is availability. In two of the last three years, Joe Burrow has missed two months of the season, and it just happens to coincide with the Cincinnati Bengals being on the outside looking in of the postseason in three straight years.”
He continued, “I’m tired of all the Joe Burrow sycophants, and all the people who are in the excuse-making business for this dude. He has this team the exact way he wants it. He was the one that was caping for his two wide receivers to get paid top dollar, even though we all said that it was ridiculous when it comes to roster construction. Well, guess what, Joe Burrow has exactly what he wants, and guess what, it’s amounted to zero playoff wins.”
While Canty was brutal on Burrow, PFSN disagrees heavily with his assessment. Burrow ranked tenth overall in PFSN’s Top 100 NFL Players Entering 2026.
PFSN analyst Jacob Infante explains, “With only ten games played in 2025 due to injury, Joe Burrow just barely made the cut for QB Impact Scoring eligibility. However, he finished the year No. 10 among all quarterbacks, which isn’t half bad when you consider he was still working back from turf toe those last few games of the season.”
He continued, “He also ranked No. 5 among quarterbacks after his stellar 2024 performance. If you want proof of how valuable Burrow is to the Cincinnati Bengals, just look at their record. They went 5-3 when he was healthy and just 1-8 without him. He placed in the top five in touchdown percentage, completion percentage over expectation, third-down conversion rate, and rushing EPA in 2025.”
While Burrow has missed substantial time throughout his six years in the league, his absence has left the Bengals helpless on the field as they try to find ways to win while they await his return. Burrow is clearly the centerpiece of Cincinnati’s franchise.
While Canty’s critiques may hold some merit, it’s clear that Burrow is the engine that has driven Cincinnati’s success since 2020. Until they find someone to replace him, he will remain needed for the Bengals’ long-term success.
