Kurt Warner said he believes Joe Burrow can lead the Cincinnati Bengals back to the Super Bowl despite their struggles running the ball this season. Speaking on NFL Network ahead of the Bengals’ Week 9 game against the Atlanta Falcons in Madrid, the Hall of Famer and former NFL MVP said Burrow’s performance gives Cincinnati a chance to win it all.
“I think he can carry [the Bengals] as far as they want to go, you know, which is winning it all,” Warner said. “I just think he’s playing so well. I think he was the one that said he is the window as long as he is playing. You know that the window to get a championship is always open.”
Warner acknowledged the Bengals rank 30th in the league in rushing this season but pointed to their 2021 Super Bowl run as evidence that Burrow can overcome that issue. “I know they’re not running the football very well, 30th in the league,” Warner said. “But when they went to the Super Bowl back in [2021], they were 23rd in the league and they had struggled to play defense and they struggled to block for Joe Burrow when he dropped back and he still got them all the way to the Super Bowl and they had a chance to win that football game.”
The former Cardinals quarterback also praised Burrow’s connection with his wide receivers. “But those two guys on the outside with the way Joe Burrow is playing at the quarterback position, that’s what it’s all about is do you have the ability to go swing for swing with every team in the AFC,” Warner added. “I do believe this team has that swing in them because of the way this guy’s playing.” He said the Bengals could improve on defense and in their ground game but insisted Burrow’s current level of play can take the team back to the Super Bowl.
Warner’s support for Burrow is longstanding. In 2022, he named Burrow his pick for NFL MVP. The two share a close bond, with Warner a longtime family friend of Burrow’s parents. Warner introduced Burrow just before Bills quarterback Josh Allen was awarded the 2024 MVP during Thursday night’s NFL Honors ceremony.
Earlier this season, Warner said the key to the Bengals’ opener against the Tampa Bay Buccaneers was how Burrow handled Tampa Bay’s blitz. His belief in Burrow’s ability to manage pressure has remained consistent.
The Bengals face the Falcons on Sunday in Madrid, where Burrow will look to continue justifying Warner’s confidence despite the team’s ongoing challenges in the running game.
According to Yahoo Sports.
