Kansas City Chiefs quarterback Patrick Mahomes, Buffalo Bills quarterback Josh Allen, Baltimore Ravens quarterback Lamar Jackson, and Cincinnati Bengals quarterback Joe Burrow have been regarded as the NFL’s prominent figures, often referred to as the ‘Big 4’ over the last five years.

Among these talented quarterbacks, Joe Burrow, aged 29, is the sole absence on the list of NFL MVP winners. He is determined to change that in the upcoming season.

Burrow, drafted as the No. 1 overall pick in 2020, featured on GQ’s ’10 Essentials’ series where a football was unsurprisingly one of his must-have items. ‘It has brought me many good fortunes in life,’ Burrow stated. ‘Without this football, I wouldn’t be here talking with you guys. I can throw it very accurately. Kind of far, not as far as most. I usually keep one in the back of my car, just in case.’

When discussing his goals for the 2026 NFL season, Burrow was clear: ‘I have all the goals for this season. MVP, Super Bowl, win a lot of games, and have fun.’

Burrow demonstrated his prowess in his second year as QB1 by leading the Bengals to Super Bowl LVI, although they lost to the Los Angeles Rams. The subsequent year took them to the AFC Championship Game, where they were defeated by the Kansas City Chiefs. Unfortunately, the Bengals haven’t reached the playoffs again since that defeat. Some of this downturn resulted from Burrow’s unfortunate injuries and one of the league’s weakest defenses.

In 2023, Burrow missed seven games due to a torn ligament in his throwing wrist, requiring surgery. Nonetheless, he rebounded in 2024, finishing the season healthy and leading the NFL with 4,918 yards and 43 touchdowns. Yet, the Bengals narrowly missed the playoffs with a 9-8 record. Last season, Burrow missed nine more games due to severe turf toe, contributing to the Bengals’ 6-11 finish.

Last December, Burrow’s candid press conference revealed the impact his injury-plagued seasons had on him. ‘It certainly doesn’t change my desire to win,’ Burrow affirmed. ‘If I want to keep doing this, I have to have fun doing it. I’ve been through a lot, and if it’s not fun, then what am I doing it for? So that’s the mindset I’m trying to bring to the table.’

Despite past challenges, Burrow appeared optimistic and upbeat in his recent GQ interview.