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Phil Simms compares Bengals quarterback Joe Burrow to NFL legend

275133747_4796292347117549_592518599057046758_nby:Jonathan Wagner•10/24/21•

Jonathan Wagner

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Joe Sargent via Getty Images.

Phil Simms is very high on Cincinnati Bengals quarterback Joe Burrow. Simms, a 15-year NFL veteran and former Super Bowl MVP, gave Burrow high praise, comparing him to legendary NFL quarterback Joe Montana.

Montana is a Hall of Famer. He made eight pro bowls, was an All-Pro three times. Montana also won four Super Bowls and two MVP awards. In his career, he threw for 40,551 yards and 273 touchdowns, adding 20 scores on the ground. While Burrow is clearly not on Montana’s level yet in his second year as the Bengals quarterback, he has loads of potential, leading to the lofty comparison from Simms.

“He’s the modern day Joe Montana,” Simms said of Burrow. “That’s how I look at him. Smooth, graceful, maybe a little more athletic than Joe Montana was. He probably has a little bit of a stronger arm than Joe Montana too. He just has a feel for the position. I hate to say that, it’s hard to explain, but he’s got it. His movement, his throwing, his experience at LSU, and (Bengals head coach) Zac Taylor has done a great job devising an offense that’s more diverse and helping out Joe Burrow.”

Burrow has had a strong start to the season at quarterback for the Bengals

Burrow put up historic numbers as a senior at LSU in 2019. That season, Burrow threw for 5,671 yards, 60 touchdowns, and six interceptions, adding 13 rushing scores. His historic performance ended with a Heisman Trophy, and LSU went undefeated and won a national championship. The Bengals selected Burrow with the first overall pick in the 2020 NFL Draft.

Burrow’s rookie season with the Bengals was cut short after he suffered a torn ACL in the middle of the season. In ten games as a rookie, Burrow threw for 2,688 yards, 13 touchdowns, and five interceptions. So far this season, Burrow has thrown for 1,540 yards and 14 touchdowns along with seven interceptions through six games.

Burrow has already been compared to legendary NFL quarterbacks this season. By throwing multiple touchdowns in each of the Bengals’ first six games, Burrow became the second quarterback to do so in his first or second NFL season.