Joe Burrow still a Tier 1 QB despite Bengals’ playoff struggles: Albert Breer

Joe Burrow remains one of the NFL’s top quarterbacks despite three straight seasons without a playoff berth, Albert Breer argued on July 16, 2026.

What did Breer say?

Albert Breer, the veteran NFL insider, pushed back against criticism of Burrow’s tier ranking. On a July 16, 2026 mailbag segment, he defended Burrow’s standing among the league’s best signal-callers. The debate flared after Ryan on Twitter questioned why Burrow still sits in the top tier when Cincinnati hasn’t made the playoffs in three years.

Breer acknowledged Burrow’s injury history but stressed the quarterback’s impact when healthy. He pointed to Burrow’s 2021 rookie-year Super Bowl run and back-to-back AFC title game appearances in 2022 and 2023. Those runs marked the first time in franchise history the Bengals reached the AFC title game twice in a row.

The injury factor

Burrow missed seven games in 2023 and nine in 2024. In 2022, he shredded Patrick Mahomes and the Chiefs in Arrowhead to advance to the AFC Championship. The Bengals’ 2023 collapse came despite Burrow’s MVP-caliber finish, when Cincinnati’s historically bad defense sabotaged a late surge.

Breer argued those peaks prove Burrow’s ceiling. Even with missed time, he’s carried Cincinnati deeper than ever before. The Bengals’ offensive engine still revolves around his arm, accuracy, and leadership.

The playoff drought debate

Critics cite the three-year playoff drought as proof Burrow isn’t elite. But Breer framed it differently. He blamed the Bengals’ defense for failing to complement Burrow’s brilliance. In 2023, Burrow threw for 4,436 yards and 35 touchdowns in 14 games. Yet the defense allowed the most yards per game in the league.

The Bengals’ 2024 season ended with a 9-8 record. Their defense ranked 28th in yards allowed. Breer said Burrow’s 2024 return still showed flashes of dominance before injuries derailed the stretch.

What comes next for Burrow?

The Bengals’ 2025 defense improved but still ranked 20th in yards allowed. Burrow played 15 games, throwing for 4,149 yards and 30 touchdowns. Cincinnati missed the playoffs again by one game.

Breer’s take: Burrow’s résumé still stacks up with any quarterback’s first six seasons. The Bengals’ inability to build around him shouldn’t erase his production. If Cincinnati fixes its defense, Burrow’s ceiling remains sky-high.

The mailbag aired on July 16, 2026. Breer’s segment ran as part of a broader discussion on quarterback tiers, salary-cap strategy, and NFL offseason moves.