Cincinnati Bengals Quarterback Joe Burrow was given the highest praise by his former Offensive Coordinator Brian Callahan. When asked about the NFL MVP race Callahan said, “If I had a vote, he’d be my MVP.”
Callahan was the Cincinnati Bengals OC from 2019-2023. He was hired as the Tennessee Titans Head Coach in January 2024. Callahan made the remarks as he readies his team to face the Bengals later this week. Burrow is having a career season in 2024, but his MVP chances are zero. The team has not been good enough to justify an MVP candidacy by Burrow.
He is leading the league in passing yards and passing touchdowns. Burrow is also fourth in the league in QB Rating. Burrow has also thrown 3 touchdown passes in five straight games. Will the star quarterback continue playing well as the Cincinnati Bengals look to finish the regular season strong?
Cincinnati Bengals Season Summary
Former Bengals' offensive coordinator Brian Callahan thinks Joe Burrow deserves the MVP 👀 pic.twitter.com/ycixJCxfiW
— NFL on ESPN (@ESPNNFL) December 11, 2024
Cincinnati(5-8) has a slim 3% chance to qualify for the NFL Playoffs. The Cincinnati Bengals started the year slowly again this season and they have been unable to recover. They started the season 1-4 and are currently on a two-game losing streak. Burrow also believes that he is playing the best football of his career even though it has not translated to wins on the gridiron.
He had this to say following Monday’s 27-20 win over the Dallas Cowboys. “I think I’ve been play-to-play better than I’ve ever been,” said Burrow. “I think I’m creating better than I ever have.” The statistics back up Burrow’s claims. The Cincinnati Bengals offense, led by Burrow and Wide Receiver Ja’Marr Chase, has been one of the league’s best.
They are ninth in total yards per game and sixth in the league in points scored. Burrow is currently 12th in NFL MVP odds as the team’s defense has let them down this season. They are 26th in yards allowed and 29 in points allowed. The Bengals have lost games this season scoring 33, 38, 34, 27, and 38 points. Even with a historic year from Burrow, he has been unable to overcome one of the league’s worst units.
Final Thoughts
With the Cincinnati Bengals getting ready to visit the Tennessee Titans on Sunday, Callahan’s comments can be viewed in two different ways. Either Callahan is being honest about his former player or he is hoping to praise Burrow in the hopes he takes the 3-10 team lightly. Burrow has been great this season, and if he had even an average defense, he would be both atop the NFL MVP race and in the playoff picture.
