A recent bold claim by NFL analyst Dan Orlovsky regarding Joe Burrow’s MVP candidacy has sparked a fiery debate among football fans and analysts alike.
In an intense segment on ESPN, Orlovsky argued that Joe Burrow should absolutely be in the MVP conversation, pointing to the Cincinnati Bengals’ incredible late-season surge. Orlovsky emphasized that, despite a slow start to the season, Burrow has shown the ability to elevate his play to an elite level, leading the Bengals back into playoff contention. He praised Burrow’s poise, accuracy, and his leadership on and off the field, making a case for the Bengals’ quarterback being one of the most valuable players in the NFL today.
However, Orlovsky’s remarks quickly ignited a passionate debate, with other analysts questioning whether Burrow truly deserved to be in the MVP discussion, especially when compared to other candidates like Patrick Mahomes, Josh Allen, and Lamar Jackson. The crux of the argument centered around whether Burrow’s performance was enough to surpass those of players who have had more consistent, high-profile seasons.
Shannon Sharpe, a former NFL player and co-host of Undisputed, weighed in with his own fiery take. Sharpe acknowledged Burrow’s impressive play but argued that while Burrow had shown flashes of brilliance, there were other factors at play—like the Bengals’ overall team performance and offensive weapons like Jamar Chase and Tee Higgins—that were helping elevate Burrow’s game. He noted that Burrow’s stats might not be as eye-popping as some other MVP contenders, but he was quick to give credit to Burrow’s clutch performances when the Bengals needed him most.
Stephen A. Smith, another co-host on Undisputed, took a slightly different stance, arguing that while Burrow has been fantastic, the MVP should still likely go to a quarterback like Mahomes, who has consistently delivered for his team, including leading them to Super Bowl victories. Stephen A. pointed out that the Chiefs’ quarterback is the more established MVP candidate, having already won the award multiple times and demonstrated the ability to perform in high-stakes situations year after year.
The debate reached a fever pitch as each analyst defended their position. Orlovsky maintained that Burrow’s resilience, especially after a difficult start to the season, made him a deserving candidate for MVP. Sharpe countered by asserting that other quarterbacks, such as Lamar Jackson, had been just as impressive this season, if not more so. The ultimate question was whether Burrow’s performance had been strong enough to elevate him to MVP status or if the award should go to someone who had maintained a more consistent level of dominance throughout the season.
The discussion also touched on the importance of team success in the MVP conversation. Some analysts argued that while individual stats are important, MVP is ultimately about how a player can elevate their team. Orlovsky strongly felt that Burrow had done just that, especially given the Bengals’ playoff push in the second half of the season.
As the debate raged on, it was clear that Joe Burrow’s MVP candidacy had become one of the most polarizing topics in the NFL this season. While Burrow’s play has certainly captured the attention of fans and analysts alike, whether or not he can claim the MVP title remains to be seen.
With the Bengals continuing to fight for playoff position and Burrow continuing to deliver clutch performances, it will be interesting to see if his case for MVP can gain enough momentum to surpass other contenders in the final stretch of the season.
