Dylan Buell/Getty Images
Cincinnati Bengals quarterback Joe Burrow has accepted that, despite having a career year, he probably won’t be taking home MVP honors.
“I’m proud of the season that I have had,” Burrow told former MVP Cam Newton in an interview for ESPN. “You know, I would love to win an MVP at some point in my career. This year is probably not that year just because of how the season has gone for us. I think I’m deserving of it, but the MVP usually goes to the quarterback of the best team and that’s not us this year.”
ESPN @espn
“We have so many things in common.” 😅
Joe Burrow with Cam Newton on his MVP-caliber play, the Bengals’ season and facing the Steelers in Week 18 👀 pic.twitter.com/xqyFQiV810
The Bengals are currently 8-8 and sitting third in the AFC North, with several things needing to fall into place for them to make the playoffs:
- The Bengals must beat the Pittsburgh Steelers on Saturday
- The Kansas City Chiefs must beat the Denver Broncos on Sunday
- The Dolphins must lose or tie against the New York Jets on Sunday
Despite the Bengals’ limited playoff hopes, Burrow has undoubtedly had an MVP-caliber season, according to past winners.
“Burrow is one of three players all time to throw for 4,500 yards, 40 passing touchdowns (and) fewer than 10 interceptions in a single season,” Newton said. “Who else did that? Tom Brady in 2007 (and) Aaron Rodgers in 2011. You know the thing that they had? They both won an MVP.”
The top two MVP favorites are Josh Allen at -260 and Lamar Jackson at +200, according to DraftKings Sportsbook. Burrow is a considerable distance behind in third, at +1600.
Burrow, in his fifth season with Cincinnati, has moved past the MVP conversation and is now focused on the Bengals securing a win in their final regular-season game and potentially grabbing a spot in the postseason.
“I’m just excited for the opportunity,” Burrow said. “We got a chance to go and make a statement. We obviously need help on Sunday but we can control what we can control and finish our season the right way. Guys are excited about that opportunity, myself included.”
