Jun 1, 2026, 2:33 AM CUT

Joe Burrow Predicted to Make Huge Splash in NFL 2026 With Double Achievement

Three straight playoff misses, a defense that ranked among the league's worst, and questions about whether Joe Burrow still wanted to be in Cincinnati.

But fresh hopes are emerging for Burrow and company, as Gary Davenport of Bleacher Report predicts the Bengals' QB will win the NFL MVP award and lead them to the big game.

"Burrow will get his better defense this year and make it all the way to SoFi Stadium and Super Bowl LXI, picking up his first MVP award along the way," Davenport wrote May 28. "Then he'll cap off 2026 with the franchise's first championship."

Cincinnati Bengals quarterback Joe Burrow (9) looks back to the sideline before a goal line play in the first quarter of the NFL Week 17 game between the Cincinnati Bengals and the Arizona Cardinals at Paycor Stadium in Downtown Cincinnati on Sunday, Dec. 28, 2025. The Bengals led 23-7 at halftime.

The Bengals did make some major moves this offseason to strengthen their defense. They traded for DT Dexter Lawrence, and signed safeties Bryan Cook, pass rusher Boye Mafe, and Jonathan Allen.

"I think this is the most talented roster that we've had since I've been here," Burrow said May 20. "We're going to go win a lot of games this year and play great and win a Super Bowl."

We have seen in the past that when Burrow is healthy, he does rack up some impressive numbers. In the 2024 season, he had a league high pass attempts (652), completions (460), passing yards (4,918) and touchdowns (43).

Burrow has been an MVP finalist twice in the past, first in 2022 and then in the 2024 season. But if he wins it this time, it will mark his first MVP honors, plus Cincy's first Super Bowl win.

That said, Burrow’s presence is felt not just in the Bengals locker room, but across the entire league.

Joe Burrow Quietly Becomes One of the NFL’s Most Influential Voices

Joe Burrow has established himself as a leader whom NFL executives actually listen to. This is because he helped save the league's struggling Pro Bowl and successfully represented the NFL in a major global flag football event.

The Athletic’s Paul Dehner Jr saw this firsthand when he interviewed former NFL wide receiver Larry Fitzgerald.

“I was with him after the event, we were talking to Commissioner (Roger) Goodell. The ideas he has on growing flag football and expanding things in the league — he takes ownership,” Fitzgerald said.

His commitment to broadening the sport beyond the U.S. has led him to engage with the top decision-makers in the league. Meanwhile, the Bengals look to bounce back from that 6-11 season and focus on keeping Burrow healthy.

What are your thoughts? Let us know in the comments.

Written by

Abhay Bharti

Edited by

Shubhi Rathore