Bengals QB Joe Burrow appreciates being under the radar entering 2024 NFL season: 'I love the spot I'm in'

Last season ended far too early for Cincinnati Bengals quarterback Joe Burrow. A season-ending wrist injury in the middle of November forced Burrow to miss the last seven games of the year, while other star QBs of the AFC were all making playoff pushes.

Patrick Mahomes, Josh Allen, Lamar Jackson, and C.J. Stroud all helped their respective teams win their respective divisions and became the spotlight. Burrow had to watch it all from the sidelines.

It stunk back then, but it created a dynamic that's perfectly fine with Burrow now.

In an appearance on Pardon My Take , Burrow buys the idea that his name isn't brought up as often nowadays when talking about the top passers of the AFC because he understands the ramifications of getting injured.

"I believe that," Burrow said of being excluded. "That's what happens when you get hurt though. You don't play football, people forget about you."

Not only was Burrow out for nearly half the season, the games he did play in to start the year were unimpressive. Burrow dealt with a calf strain weeks before suffering a wrist injury, which became one of the main reasons why the Bengals started 1-3.

Burrow started to look like his normal self the next six games as the Bengals clawed their way back into the playoff picture. The wrist injury became something he couldn't play through, taking him off the field and away from the conversation.

It sounds as if Burrow is using that as motivation to reassert himself in 2024.

"I love the spot I'm in," Burrow said of flying under the radar. "But again, that's part of the game. If you're not out there and people aren't watching you, then there's nothing to talk about.

"So I'm gonna give people something to talk about this year. I'm excited about it."

Burrow's doing a good job of getting his name out more often on his own. He stepped out of his comfort zone a bit during Vogue World Paris , and revealed he wants to open up his personality more often .

But nothing matters more than dominating on the football field. That can only happen when you're actually on the field.

Expectations for Cincinnati are a bit more tame than they were last year. Instead of being one of the favorites to win the Super Bowl, the Bengals are trying to recapture a division title from the Baltimore Ravens. There's plenty to prove after finishing last in the AFC North.

Burrow's no stranger to proving himself worthy. Once he's back on the field, it shouldn't take long for people to remember what he's capable of.

Related: Joe Burrow's new offseason hobby created a 'perfect storm' to also recover from his wrist injury