Joe Burrow looking to put injury trouble behind him

Joe Burrow, 27, had his team in playoff contention last year before a wrist injury in Week 11 against the Baltimore Ravens required season-ending surgery.

This was the second significant injury in Burrow’s four-year career, the first being a torn ACL and MCL during his rookie year in 2020.

Despite these setbacks, Burrow has led the Bengals to two AFC Championships and one Super Bowl appearance in his two healthy seasons.

On FS1’s “Speak” program, McCoy was asked if 2024 marked a “make or break” year for Burrow.

McCoy was quick to refute this notion, saying, “Not Joe Burrow, he’s that good. He’s that great, and he’s that young, he’s only 27 years old…when he’s at his best, when he’s healthy, we know his ceiling. What is his ceiling? You take the Bengals…all the way to the Super Bowl as a youngster? With Joe Burrow, he’s so good, we don’t need to see it now. Because we know, eventually, it’s going to show up….he got some time.”

Despite Burrow’s absence, the Bengals managed a 9-8 record with backup quarterback Jake Browning.

This performance is notable, given that their AFC North rivals all secured double-digit wins and playoff berths.

In the 10 games he played last season, Burrow completed 66.8 percent of his passes for 2,309 yards, 15 touchdowns, and six interceptions.

Can the Bengals contend for a Super Bowl?

Burrow’s health is a key factor for the Bengals’ Super Bowl aspirations.

His stellar play includes a road victory over the San Francisco 49ers, where the Bengals triumphed 31-17 with Burrow excelling against a formidable defense.

Furthermore, Burrow holds a 3-1 record against Kansas City Chiefs quarterback Patrick Mahomes, with the lone loss coming from a last-second field goal in the 2022 AFC Championship Game.

As the Bengals prepare for the upcoming season, Burrow remains optimistic about his prospects.

“If you’re not out there and people aren’t watching you, then there’s nothing to talk about,”Burrow remarked on the “Pardon My Take” podcast.

“I’m going to give people something to talk about this year.”

Burrow has focused on his health and preparation during the offseason.

In a March interview with ESPN, he highlighted that the only rebuttal to narratives is performance on the field.

He has also taken steps to bolster his physical readiness, adding 10 to 15 pounds of muscle and managing his training to ensure peak performance.

The Bengals will open the season against the rebuilding New England Patriots on September 8.