Career Timeline of Joe Burrow: Major Achievements and Milestones

How Joe Burrow built a successful career. Explore key moments that defined the journey.

Joe Burrow is a professional American football quarterback for the Cincinnati Bengals. He gained prominence playing college football, first for Ohio State and then LSU, where he won the Heisman Trophy and a national championship in his senior year. Burrow was subsequently drafted first overall by the Bengals in the 2020 NFL Draft.

Sections (4)

Full Timeline Early Life & Education Career & Achievements Success & Recognition

1988: Bengals reached Super Bowl XXIII

In 1988, the Bengals reached Super Bowl XXIII. This was their first appearance since Super Bowl XXIII in 1988.

1990: End of Bengals' Playoff Win Drought

In 1990, the Bengals' playoff win drought, which had been active since the 1990 season, came to an end with a 26–19 win against the Las Vegas Raiders in the Wild Card Round.

1990: Ended Playoff Drought

In 2021, Joe Burrow led the Bengals to their first playoff win since 1990, ending the longest active drought in the four major North American sports.

May 27, 2014: Committed to Ohio State

On May 27, 2014, Joe Burrow committed to Ohio State to play football.

2015: First Winning Record Since 2015

Against the Baltimore Ravens in Week 16, Burrow completed 37 of 46 passes, threw for a career-high 525 yards, while also throwing four touchdowns without an interception, for a career-high 143.2 passer rating in the 41–21 win. The victory in this game was Cincinnati's ninth of the year, clinching the first winning record for the team since the 2015 season, and put the Bengals in first place of the AFC North.

2015: Redshirted at Ohio State

In 2015, Joe Burrow redshirted his first year at Ohio State.

2015: Bengals clinch AFC North and Playoff Berth

The next week against the Kansas City Chiefs, Burrow threw for 446 yards, four touchdowns, and no interceptions in the 34–31 win. The win helped the Bengals clinch the AFC North and a playoff berth for the first time since 2015.

May 18, 2018: Transferred to LSU

On May 18, 2018, Joe Burrow transferred to Louisiana State University (LSU) after realizing he wouldn't be the starting quarterback at Ohio State.

2018: Named LSU's Starting Quarterback

In 2018, Joe Burrow was named the starting quarterback for LSU as a redshirt junior. He led the Tigers to a 10-3 record and a Fiesta Bowl win.

December 14, 2019: Awarded 2019 Heisman Trophy

On December 14, 2019, Joe Burrow was awarded the 2019 Heisman Trophy and received many other awards during college football award season. His Heisman acceptance speech referred to the rampant poverty and food insecurity affecting his hometown; shortly after his speech, the Athens County food bank was the recipient of $450,000 in donations.

2019: Attention of Scouts Reconsidered

In 2019, Burrow's season was cited as helping draw more attention to scouts to reconsider their evaluation of him.

2019: Named LSU's Starting Quarterback and SEC Co-Offensive Player of the Week

In 2019, Joe Burrow was named LSU's starting quarterback. In the season opener against Georgia Southern, Burrow threw for 278 yards and five touchdowns and was named SEC Co-Offensive Player of the Week.

July 31, 2020: Signed Rookie Contract

On July 31, 2020, Joe Burrow signed his four-year rookie contract worth $36.1 million with the Cincinnati Bengals.

2020: Selected first overall in the 2020 NFL draft

In 2020, Joe Burrow was selected first overall by the Cincinnati Bengals in the NFL draft after a successful college football career.

2020: NFL Draft

In 2020, the Bengals made Burrow the top pick in the NFL draft.

2020: Finished Rookie Season

Joe Burrow finished his rookie season in 2020 with 2,688 passing yards, 13 touchdowns, and a 2-7-1 record. The Bengals finished the season with a 4-11 record, missing the playoffs.

2021: Divisional Round Game Against Tennessee

During the 2021 Divisional Round game against Tennessee, Burrow was noted to have successfully called his own plays.

2021: Breakout season and Comeback Player of the Year award

In 2021, Burrow led the Bengals to their first playoff win since 1990 and a Super Bowl LVI appearance. He was also awarded Comeback Player of the Year.

June 2022: Spoke Out on Abortion Rights

In June 2022, Burrow spoke out on Instagram in favor of abortion rights in the United States following the overturning of Roe v. Wade.

2022: NFL Playoffs

In 2022, Burrow led the Bengals to a narrow win over the Ravens in the Wild Card Round and a decisive victory over the Bills in the Divisional Round en route to their second consecutive AFC Championship appearance.

September 7, 2023: Signs Contract Extension

On September 7, 2023, Joe Burrow signed a five-year, $275 million contract extension, surpassing Justin Herbert to become the highest-paid player in NFL history on an annual basis, with an average annual salary of $55 million.

2023: Signed Largest Contract and Led Division

In 2023, Burrow signed the largest contract in NFL history at the time regarding annual salary and led the Bengals to their first consecutive division title in franchise history.

2024: Led the League in Passing Despite Missing Playoffs

Despite Cincinnati missing the playoffs in 2024, Burrow led the league in passing yards and passing touchdowns and was awarded his second Comeback Player of the Year Award.