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In the latest 1-32 NFL quarterback rankings from Sports Illustrated's Matt Verdarame, Cincinnati Bengals signal-caller Joe Burrow has dropped out of the top five. Burrow, who began the season ranked fifth, now sits at sixth as the Bengals head into their bye week with a 3-2 record.
Verderame praised Burrow's elite play when healthy, noting that in 2026 the quarterback has started all five games and performed like a superstar. Burrow ranks sixth in passing yards with 1,361, and has thrown 11 touchdowns against three interceptions. Advanced metrics also favor him: he is fourth in CPOE (6.0), 13th in EPA per play (0.179), and eighth in success rate (51.2%).
With Ja'Marr Chase and Tee Higgins lining up outside, Cincinnati's offense remains among the most dangerous in the league, led by a quarterback whose primary challenge is staying on the field for all 17 games. The top five spots in the rankings are occupied, in order, by Patrick Mahomes, Josh Allen, Brock Purdy, Lamar Jackson, and Jared Goff.
Key Analysis
Separating the top eight quarterbacks this season is a difficult task, as the level of play at the position has been exceptional. Had Burrow committed only one or two turnovers instead of four, he would likely be in the top five, and the Bengals could be sitting at 4-1 or even 5-0. However, Burrow now faces the easiest remaining strength of schedule according to ESPN's NFL FPI, giving him a prime opportunity to light up opposing defenses and solidify his status as a top-five quarterback by season's end.
Burrow emphasized the need for smarter play after Sunday's game, pointing to two red-zone fumbles and costly personal fouls that hurt field position and gifted points to the opponent. "We got to be smarter," he said. As for his bye week plans, Burrow admitted he is in uncharted territory with such an early break. "I want to maintain my conditioning, my strength and conditioning, and certainly want to keep throwing," he explained. "I'll try to find a plan. This is uncharted territory for me, having a bye this early, so we'll see."
For the full rankings, visit Sports Illustrated. Bengals fans can also subscribe to the YouTube channel and follow on audio platforms including Apple Podcasts, Spotify, iHeartRadio, and Amazon. Bookmark BengalsTalk.com for the latest news, exclusive interviews, and film breakdowns. Join the 67,000+ Bengals fans who subscribe on YouTube. Russ Heltman covers the Bearcats and Bengals for On SI and hosts the morning show on 89.3 WMKV in Cincinnati. Reach him on Twitter @RussHeltman11 or via email at [email protected].