If Cincinnati Bengals quarterback Joe Burrow stays healthy this season, he should be in the mix for league MVP.
In his Monday column, Sports Illustrated senior NFL reporter Albert Breer revealed Burrow is his MVP pick even though he suffered a season-ending right wrist injury last season.
“The 27-year-old’s been through a lot as a pro,” wrote Breer. “The ACL tear as a rookie, and the rehab going into the Super Bowl year. The appendicitis going into 2022. Last year, the calf injury, and then a scary wrist injury from which he’s finally close to 100% recovered. Yet, with all of that change, Burrow has always been focused on getting better. It’s why he was at his best before he got hurt last year.”
Burrow was on a tear before he injured his wrist in Week 11 vs. the Ravens. In Weeks 8-10, he completed 74.1% of his passes for 978 yards, seven touchdowns and two interceptions, posting a stellar 70 QBR.
This offseason, Burrow added 10 pounds of muscle (up to 217) to better protect himself, via Ebenezer Samuel of Men’s Health. He also used exercises, such as bear crawls and farmer’s walks, to strengthen his right wrist.
Burrow is still overcoming some mental hurdles. According to ESPN’s Ben Baby, during mandatory mini-camp, he admitted that “your football mortality kind of comes into the back of your mind” after suffering multiple injuries.
However, Burrow and Co. should be in the thick of the Super Bowl hunt if his offseason regimen works. In four seasons with the Bengals, the former Pro Bowler has led the club to two AFC Championship Games and one Super Bowl appearance.
As of Monday, FanDuel Sportsbook lists his MVP odds at +1000, the third-best behind Buffalo Bills QB Josh Allen and Kansas City Chiefs QB Patrick Mahomes.
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