NFL Analyst Rich Eisen Makes Bold Joe Burrow Prediction
Dec 28, 2025; Cincinnati, Ohio, USA; Cincinnati Bengals quarterback Joe Burrow (9) leaves the field after a game against the Arizona Cardinals at Paycor Stadium. Mandatory Credit: Katie Stratman-Imagn Images
Dec 28, 2025; Cincinnati, Ohio, USA; Cincinnati Bengals quarterback Joe Burrow (9) leaves the field after a game against the Arizona Cardinals at Paycor Stadium. Mandatory Credit: Katie Stratman-Imagn Images
The 2026 season is going to be a ‘prove it’ year for the Cincinnati Bengals quarterback, Joe Burrow. With the Super Bowl returning to the same stadium that the Bengals lost in 2022, NFL analyst Rich Eisen dropped a bold take.
“If on Valentine's Day, 2027, in the building where he [Burrow] lost the Super Bowl, he hoists a Lombardi trophy for the first time,” said Eisen. “You even heard him yesterday. You're like, I think they're going to win the division.”
After Super Bowl LVI at SoFi Stadium in February 2022, many believed the Cincinnati Bengals would soon return to the big stage because of their talented young roster led by Joe Burrow. Eisen sees high chances this season.
Burrow has played in only two postseasons since going No. 1 overall in 2020. But his first trip ended on the Super Bowl stage. The Cincinnati Bengals ultimately fell to the Los Angeles Rams, but Burrow came within reach of every NFL player’s ultimate dream in just his second season and has been chasing that level ever since.
"The No. 1 thing is you have to win," Burrow said when he met with reporters at voluntary organized team activities (OTAs) on Wednesday, May 20. "We’re going to go win a lot of games this year and play great and win a Super Bowl."
Jan 4, 2026; Cincinnati, Ohio, USA; Cincinnati Bengals quarterback Joe Burrow (9) looks to pass against the Cleveland Browns during the first quarter at Paycor Stadium. Mandatory Credit: Joseph Maiorana-Imagn Images
Jan 4, 2026; Cincinnati, Ohio, USA; Cincinnati Bengals quarterback Joe Burrow (9) looks to pass against the Cleveland Browns during the first quarter at Paycor Stadium. Mandatory Credit: Joseph Maiorana-Imagn Images
The energy Burrow showed during the interview spilled into the off-season practices as well. The Bengals have reportedly played with greater urgency on both offense and defense.
They have also made some important off-season moves, like trading for Pro Bowl defensive tackle Dexter Lawrence and signing defensive tackle Jonathan Allen, edge rusher Boye Mafe, among others.
Yet their Super Bowl chances depend on one crucial factor.
One major obstacle for the Cincinnati Bengals’ 2026 Super Bowl run with Joe Burrow
The timing is going to play a major role in Cincinnati’s chances in the Super Bowl LXI, which is scheduled for February 17, that is, five months after the Bengals face off against the Tampa Bay Buccaneers for Week 1.
It gives rise to a big question regarding Burrow’s health.
“I know this is a long way out to project a Bengals team as relevant, given the unreliability of quarterback Joe Burrow, who has started 10 or fewer games in two of the past three seasons,” wrote Sports Illustrated’s Conor Orr. “That said, the Bengals and Ravens have the two best odds to win the AFC North.”
For the past few seasons, Burrow has struggled with injuries. He suffered the first major injury of his NFL career during a Week 11 game against the Washington Commanders in his rookie season. Following a collision with two defenders, he tore his ACL, MCL, PCL, and part of his meniscus, requiring surgery.
He later missed the rest of the 2023 season after tearing a ligament in his throwing wrist against the Baltimore Ravens. Last season, too, he sustained a turf toe injury against the Jacksonville Jaguars, which limited him to eight games.
What are your thoughts on Burrow protecting himself from injuries and lifting the Lombardi? Share your thoughts.
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Written by
Soheli Tarafdar
Edited by
Soheli Tarafdar