Bengals great on why Joe Burrow is best over Josh Allen, Lamar Jackson

Cincinnati Bengals great Ken Anderson isn’t choosing anyone else — he’s picking Joe Burrow as the best quarterback in the league.

Anderson was the best quarterback in the league during his heyday. The four-time Pro Bowler won the 1981 NFL MVP while leading the Bengals to the Super Bowl. He was also known to be the most efficient passer in the league, leading the league in passer four times while also leading in completion percentage on three occasions.

Fast forward to now and Burrow is regarded as one of the best quarterbacks in the league. Anderson detailed why he would pick Burrow over other elite quarterbacks such as Josh Allen, Lamar Jackson and Patrick Mahomes.

“I would pick Joe,” Anderson said of Burrow. “I wouldn’t trade him for anybody. Josh Allen is having a great year. He’s a different kind of quarterback, and Patrick Mahomes is different. They all have their own different styles. But if I had to pick a guy to start a franchise with, it’s going to be Joe.”

The 77-year-old raves over Burrow’s “mechanics.” The 29-year-old led the Bengals to the Super Bowl in his second season and he has already led the league in passing yards, passing touchdowns and completion percentage.

“For a quarterback, his mechanics are so spot on,” Anderson said. “But you watch him in practice and the way that he works on everything and all the little nuances of the game of playing quarterback. He doesn’t leave a stone unturned.”

Burrow is already off to a sensational start to the 2026 season, throwing for six touchdowns against just one interception for a 70.9% completion rate. The big question for Burrow has always been the matter of staying healthy. He was limited to just eight games last season and 10 games during the 2023 season. It’s a major reason why the Bengals have missed the playoffs in three consecutive seasons.

They’ll hope to break that streak this season with Burrow playing at a high level and a revamped defensive unit that includes veteran additions such as Dexter Lawrence and Boye Mafe.

“I don’t think a comparison, but I just know he’s got great talent,” Anderson said of Burrow. “I think that’s obvious, but I think his focus and his mental preparation are just top-notch. He’s very serious about what he does in preparation, whether it’s the physical aspect, whether it’s the mental aspect, and he’s always ready to go.”

This article originally appeared on Bengals Wire: Bengals great on why Joe Burrow is best over Josh Allen, Lamar Jackson