Joe Burrow Ranked No. 2 QB by PFF Ahead of 2025 NFL Season: A New King of the AFC Emerging?
Date: May 28, 2025
In the latest installment of Pro Football Focus’s (PFF) annual quarterback rankings, Cincinnati Bengals signal-caller Joe Burrow has been ranked as the No. 2 quarterback entering the 2025 NFL season. While Kansas City Chiefs superstar Patrick Mahomes continues to hold the top spot — as he has for much of the past five seasons — the margin appears to be narrowing. And if fortune finally favors Burrow with good health, the quarterback throne may not remain firmly in Kansas City much longer.
Burrow’s recognition as the second-best quarterback in the league is hardly surprising to those who have closely followed his trajectory since he entered the NFL as the No. 1 overall pick in the 2020 NFL Draft. What is notable, however, is just how dominant his performance has been despite less-than-ideal circumstances — including persistent injuries and inconsistent protection up front.
According to PFF, Burrow earned a 93.5 passing grade over the past three seasons, which ranks No. 1 in the NFL over that span. His 95.2 overall grade since 2022 is also the highest among all quarterbacks, underscoring his ability to elevate an offense in both standard and pressure-filled situations. When it comes to success rate, a metric that evaluates how frequently a quarterback makes a play that positively impacts his team’s chances of scoring, Burrow ranks tied for second-best at 51.3%, level with fellow AFC powerhouse Josh Allen.
These numbers are not merely statistical anomalies — they are emblematic of a player who has fully arrived. And with every passing season, Joe Burrow is turning more skeptics into believers.
—
The Rise of “Joey B”
From his collegiate dominance at LSU — where he put together arguably the greatest season by a college quarterback in 2019 — to his arrival in Cincinnati, Burrow has consistently demonstrated an elite blend of mental acuity, mechanical precision, and unshakable poise under pressure. While his rookie season was cut short by a devastating knee injury, the comeback that followed in 2021 marked the beginning of what could become a legendary NFL career.
That year, he led the Bengals to their first Super Bowl appearance in over three decades, a stunning feat for a second-year quarterback. The performance solidified his place among the NFL’s elite and set the tone for the years to come.
Even as his career has progressed amid significant adversity — including calf strains, wrist injuries, and a revolving door of offensive linemen — Burrow has maintained a level of excellence that few in league history have matched at this stage.
“He just sees the field differently,” one NFL scout told PFF anonymously. “He’s like a chess master who’s already ten moves ahead. And even when the pocket collapses, he doesn’t panic. He processes, adjusts, and delivers a dart.”
—
Mastering the Mental Side
What separates Burrow from many of his contemporaries isn’t just his arm talent or accuracy — though both are elite. It’s his mastery of the mental side of the game that makes him a perennial MVP candidate.
Film study, defensive reads, pre-snap diagnostics — these are areas where Burrow excels far beyond his years. Unlike many young quarterbacks who rely on raw athleticism or improvisational flair, Burrow’s game is built on intellectual preparation and execution.
“Joe’s a football savant,” Bengals head coach Zac Taylor said earlier this offseason. “You give him a week to prepare for a defense, and he’ll know it better than their own coordinator. His understanding of the game, his feel for leverage and timing — it’s like coaching another coach.”
This football IQ, combined with his leadership and unflappable demeanor, has made him the face of the Bengals franchise and the heartbeat of a locker room that fully believes a championship is within reach.
—
Can the Bengals Deliver on Their End?
As great as Burrow has been, football remains the ultimate team sport. And while his play has often masked the Bengals’ flaws — particularly a suspect offensive line and inconsistent defense — Cincinnati’s front office knows time is of the essence.
They’ve invested heavily in protecting their franchise player, signing veteran linemen in free agency and using high draft picks to bolster the trenches. The hope is that with improved pass protection and a healthy season, Burrow’s full arsenal of talent can finally be unleashed without limitation.
Just as important will be the performance of the Bengals’ defense. Though flashes of brilliance have emerged — especially during their 2021 and 2022 playoff runs — consistency has been lacking. A middling defensive effort could once again leave Burrow in shootouts against Mahomes, Allen, Lamar Jackson, and a host of other elite AFC quarterbacks.
But if Cincinnati can deliver even an average defensive campaign, the equation changes dramatically. With Burrow at the helm, a balanced Bengals roster becomes an AFC juggernaut.
—
Mahomes Still Reigns, But…
There’s no doubt that Patrick Mahomes remains the NFL’s gold standard at quarterback. With three Super Bowl titles and two MVP awards already to his name, Mahomes is crafting a résumé that may eventually rival Tom Brady’s. His arm talent, improvisational genius, and clutch performances in high-stakes games are the stuff of legend.
But even legends must look over their shoulder.
Burrow has already bested Mahomes head-to-head in critical games — including a memorable upset in the 2022 AFC Championship. And while the Chiefs got their revenge in the following postseason, the rivalry has become one of the NFL’s most compelling storylines.
“Joe Burrow is the one quarterback I don’t want to see in January,” Mahomes admitted in an interview last year. “He’s just relentless.”
Their duels have been must-watch TV, and with both quarterbacks in their prime, fans can expect many more to come.
—
2025: A Defining Year for Burrow?
The 2025 season looms large not only for the Bengals but also for the legacy of Joe Burrow. Another injury-shortened campaign would raise difficult questions about durability and team-building. But a full season of health, paired with the improvements Cincinnati has made around him, could vault Burrow into the top spot in the quarterback hierarchy.
He’s already the most accurate passer in football. His decision-making is elite. He commands the offense like a seasoned veteran and displays composure that few others possess under pressure.
Add in a 95.2 PFF grade — highest in the league since 2022 — and the question isn’t whether Burrow belongs in the top tier. It’s whether anyone can keep him out of the No. 1 spot.
And should he finally bring a Lombardi Trophy to Cincinnati? The debate may be over.
—
Final Thoughts
Joe Burrow’s rise has been nothing short of remarkable. Despite physical setbacks and organizational challenges, he continues to prove that he is not only one of the league’s most skilled quarterbacks but also one of its most mentally refined.
The 2025 season could be his coronation. PFF already has him at No. 2, and with the numbers — and the eye test — backing him up, the crown may be within arm’s reach.
Mahomes might still wear it. But Joe Burrow is knocking hard on the door.
And it’s only a matter of time before someone answers.
