Joe Burrow under fire as ex-Super Bowl winner ranks him outside top 5 QBs

Joe Burrow has been ranked No. 4 among NFL quarterbacks by ESPN-yet a former Super Bowl champion now insists he doesn’t belong in the top five.

What did Chris Canty say about Joe Burrow?

On **July 21, 2026**, Chris Canty, a Super Bowl champion and ESPN analyst, dismissed Joe Burrow’s standing as a top-five quarterback during an appearance on *First Take*. Canty argued that Burrow’s injury history and lack of recent postseason success disqualify him from that elite tier. “No. And I don’t understand why we have this consensus about Joe Burrow being a top five quarterback,” Canty said. He pointed to Burrow missing two months of the season in two of the last three years and the Bengals’ last playoff berth coming in 2022.

Why the debate over Joe Burrow’s ranking matters now

The argument comes as the Cincinnati Bengals enter a pivotal 2026 season with high expectations after an offseason focused on shoring up their defense. Burrow, the franchise’s cornerstone, has thrown for over 20,000 yards and 150 touchdowns in six seasons despite missing significant time. Yet Canty’s take underscores a growing divide: some fans and analysts credit Burrow’s individual brilliance, while others question whether his accolades match his resume. The debate flared on social media, with reactions ranging from calls to fire Canty to defenses of Burrow’s production when healthy.

How Joe Burrow’s 2024 season stacks up against the criticism

Despite missing most of 2025, Burrow still managed 17 touchdowns and just five interceptions in eight games. The year before, in 2024, he led the NFL in completions (460), passing yards (4,918), and touchdown passes (43) while throwing only nine interceptions. Through six seasons, he remains the only active AFC quarterback to beat Patrick Mahomes and the Kansas City Chiefs in the postseason-a fact often cited by his supporters. Yet Canty dismissed those achievements as insufficient for a top-five ranking, arguing that availability trumps all.

What’s next for Joe Burrow and the Bengals?

The Bengals are banking on Burrow staying healthy to chase a Super Bowl after three straight missed playoffs. Their defense, retooled in the offseason, must carry the load while Burrow tries to prove he belongs among the league’s elite. The debate over his ranking won’t fade soon, but for Burrow, the only response that matters is on the field. The 2026 season kicks off with one question: Can he silence the doubters with another MVP-caliber year?