Joe Burrow Falls to 4th in ESPN QB Rankings

New ESPN Top‑10 Quarterback List

ESPN released its annual quarterback rankings, voted on by NFL executives, coaches and scouts. The top spot belongs to Josh Allen of the Buffalo Bills, followed by Patrick Mahomes (Kansas City Chiefs) and Matthew Stafford (Los Angeles Rams). Cincinnati Bengals signal‑caller Joe Burrow now sits in fourth place, his lowest position in three years.

Burrow slipped from third last season to fourth overall. He received a first‑place vote from a personnel evaluator, but a sixth‑place rating kept his average down. According to ESPN, “durability concerns” kept him from climbing higher, though he still boasts “the closest resemblance to Tom Brady’s game.”

Durability Concerns and Evaluator Praise

One NFL personnel evaluator highlighted Burrow’s “best pocket movement and accelerated vision in the NFL.” A coordinator added that “Burrow doesn’t play in a system. He is the system,” noting his rapid decision‑making. Despite the durability worries, scouts still view his skill set as elite.

Health has been a recurring theme for Burrow. He missed the 2023‑24 campaign with a wrist injury, tore his ACL and MCL as a rookie in 2020‑21, and in 2025 he lasted only eight regular‑season games after a Week 2 toe surgery. Those setbacks explain why his ranking slid below his previous peaks.

Back‑to‑Back Healthy Season Highlight

When fully healthy in 2024‑25, Burrow posted a Pro  Bowl season: 4,918 passing yards and a league‑leading 43 touchdowns. His play propelled the Bengals to a 9‑8 record and a five‑game win streak that capped the year. He was honored as the NFL’s Comeback Player of the Year for that effort.

The 2024‑25 campaign remains the benchmark for Burrow’s modern era, showcasing a rare blend of arm talent, mobility and leadership that still draws comparisons to Tom Brady’s style of play.

Where Burrow Stands Among the Elite

The 2025 ESPN list places Burrow fourth behind Allen, Mahomes and Stafford. Lamar Jackson of the Baltimore Ravens sits fifth, while Aaron Rodgers of the Pittsburgh Steelers earned votes but missed the top ten and the honorable‑mention list. The ranking reflects both performance and perception across the league’s coaching and personnel circles.

Even with the dip, Burrow’s floor remains high. His combination of elite arm metrics, quick release and football IQ keeps him in the conversation with the sport’s all‑time quarterbacks, pending a healthy, full‑season showing in the coming year.