Joe Burrow response to NFL season opener defeat proves why he deserves nickname

11 September 2023 , 13:40

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Joe Burrow cut a forlorn figure as he left the field following the Cincinnati Bengals' heavy Week 1 defeat (Image: AP)

Joe Burrow’s renowned ice-cold demeanour was on display as the Cincinnati Bengals quarterback calmly dismissed suggestions of panic following the crushing defeat to the Cleveland Browns on Sunday.

The Bengals opened their 2023 NFL season as a common pick to reach Super Bowl LVIII, only for the franchise to flounder against the AFC North rivals. Cleveland secured a dominant 24-3 win at FirstEnergy Stadium, with Deshaun Watson leading his team to victory as Burrow and the Bengals offense failed to get going.

The brutal defeat came after Burrow became the NFL’s highest-paid player as he inked a five-year contract extension worth $275 £219.3million with £175.4m guaranteed. His performance on Sunday did little to justify the investment, completing 14 of 31 passes for just 82 yards and no score while he was pulled in the fourth quarter.

Despite signing the biggest contract in NFL history and suffering a Week 1 blowout against a division rival, Burrow remains calm and collected. He is unfazed by the result and is looking ahead to bouncing back in the coming weeks, which shows why he is ’Joe Cool’ for his composure under pressure in the biggest moments.

“Yeah, nobody’s panicking,” Burrow told reporters after the loss. “Week 1 doesn’t define anybody’s season.

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“Obviously, not very good out there but anybody who watched saw that, but we’ve been in this spot before and come back stronger and had great years so that’s what we’re going to do.”

Burrow has emerged as one of the top quarterbacks in the NFL since arriving from LSU. He has led the Bengals to the AFC Championship over the last two years, and reached Super Bowl LVI where Cincinnati fell to the Los Angeles Rams.

Joe Burrow struggled but he is remaining optimistic and composed heading into Week 2 (@Trags /Twitter)

Recently named a team captain for the fourth consecutive season, Burrow has served as the heartbeat of one of the most exciting franchises in the NFL. The former Heisman Trophy winner owns single-season franchise records for passing attempts (606), completions (414), passing yards (4611), touchdown passes (35 ), and passer rating (108.3) over his three seasons in Cincinnati.

Known for his elite accuracy, Burrow entered his fourth season as the NFL’s all-time leader in career completion percentage (68.2). He struggled against Cleveland, but the first few weeks of each NFL season often throws up some rogue results as teams find their feet in the new year.

Burrow’s 0-1 Bengals take on another AFC North rival when they host the 1-0 Baltimore Ravens at Paul Brown Stadium on Sunday September 17.

Andrew Gamble