In a recent appearance on a Bleacher Report podcast, Micah Parsons, the standout linebacker for the Dallas Cowboys, shared his admiration for Cincinnati Bengals quarterback Joe Burrow, stating that he believes Burrow might be the best quarterback he has ever faced in his career. This bold claim comes as Burrow continues to establish himself as a formidable force in the NFL, despite having only two playoff appearances in his six seasons with the Bengals.
Parsons, who has faced numerous elite quarterbacks including Patrick Mahomes, Josh Allen, and Matthew Stafford, emphasized Burrow's unique skill set and competitive spirit. He remarked, "I don’t think there’s a better QB in the league than Joe Burrow… This is one of the greatest QB levels of play that I have probably played in my life. When he’s on, I don’t think there’s a better QB in the league than Joe Burrow." This statement reflects the high regard in which Parsons holds Burrow, particularly after witnessing the quarterback's performance against his own defense.
Burrow's statistics from the previous season further illustrate his talent. He completed 173 of 259 passes for 1,809 yards, throwing 17 touchdowns against five interceptions, and achieved a passer rating of 100.7. However, his season was marred by injury, as he missed nine games due to a turf toe issue. Despite these setbacks, Parsons believes that a healthy season in 2026-27 could solidify Burrow's status as a top-three quarterback in the league.
One game that particularly stood out to Parsons was a matchup in 2024, where Burrow faced the Cowboys at home. In that contest, Burrow completed 33 of 44 passes for an impressive 369 yards and three touchdowns, posting a passer rating of 112.8. The Bengals emerged victorious with a 27-20 win, and notably, Parsons did not record any tackles or sacks during that game. This performance against a Parsons-led defense was a key factor in shaping his opinion of Burrow's abilities.
In contrast, Parsons' encounters with other elite quarterbacks have yielded less favorable results for those players. For instance, in his only game against Mahomes, the Kansas City Chiefs quarterback managed a passer rating of only 71.9. Similarly, Josh Allen's last outing against Parsons' defense resulted in an 89.3 passer rating, while Stafford has struggled in his matchups, recording ratings of 86.2 and 78.2.
As the NFL season progresses, Burrow's performance will be closely monitored, especially as he aims to lead the Bengals deeper into the playoffs and potentially secure a Super Bowl title. Parsons' endorsement of Burrow as a top-tier quarterback adds to the narrative surrounding the Bengals' star and underscores the high expectations placed on him moving forward.
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