Ryan Clark Crowning Joe Burrow as Best NFL Quarterback over Patrick Mahomes Backfires Miserably: “Trying to Better his Reputation”

Ryan Clark says Joe Burrow's consistency proves he is the best quarterback in the NFL over his peers.

Ryan Clark Crowning Joe Burrow as Best NFL Quarterback over Patrick Mahomes Backfires Miserably: “Trying to Better his Reputation”

Patrick Mahomes, Joe Burrow and Ryan Clark (Image via IMAGO)

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Ryan Clark riled up the internet with another bold claim on ESPN’s Get Up. From his point of view, the Cincinnati Bengals’ Joe Burrow is the best quarterback in the NFL.

On the latest episode of the fan-favorite show, Clark picked Burrow as the best quarterback in the NFL over Josh Allen, Lamar Jackson, and Patrick Mahomes after speaking with several defensive coaches.

They told Clark that Allen, Jackson, and Mahomes possess the ability to create chances out of nothing. Burrow is different.

He said that Joe Burrow never misses the something. There’s something to be said for a dude who knows how to put a football where it’s supposed to go.

Ryan Clark said

Pro Football Focus revealed that Burrow completed 38 big-time throws in 2024, which is first among all starting quarterbacks. The stat website also graded Burrow with a 92.9 passing grade and a 74.8 rushing grade.

It’s not a surprise considering he led the league in pass completions (652), yards (4918), and touchdowns (43). This led to Ryan Clark crowning the 2x Comeback Player of the Year as the best quarterback in the NFL.

Fans on social media call out Ryan Clark for picking Joe Burrow as the best quarterback

Fans, in general, will agree that Burrow deserves the recognition, and some might even argue he’s indeed the best pure passer in football after the 2024 season. However, fans found it hard to digest that assessment from Ryan Clark of all people.

Ryan Clark Crowning Joe Burrow as Best NFL Quarterback over Patrick Mahomes Backfires Miserably: "Trying to Better his Reputation"
Joe Burrow (Image via IMAGO)

The former Steeler has created a niche for himself by making unsolicited statements that trigger racial tension on the internet. For instance, Clark did not approve of Josh Allen winning the NFL MVP over Lamar Jackson.

Clark views Jackson as a true Black quarterback, surpassing his peers, including Jalen Hurts, who won the recent Super Bowl, and Patrick Mahomes, who has won three out of the last four Super Bowls.

Keeping that in mind, the internet found it hard to digest Clark crowning Joe Burrow as the best quarterback in football. They suspected an ulterior motive from the 45-year-old.

Clark has been vocal about Burrow’s skills as a quarterback in the past. Last year, he stated that only Burrow can go toe-to-toe with Mahomes and win.

Patrick Mahomes has no rival. He does not have one. It’s Patrick Mahomes and everybody else. And if you bring in anybody into the conversation, it’s only Joe Burrow. Because right now, he’s the only person in the AFC that has shown that he can slow his heartbeat down and compete against the great.

Ryan Clark said via the Cincinnati Inquirer

Burrow holds a 3-2 record against the Chiefs (including the playoffs). Unfortunately for the Bengals fans, Burrow is on a two-game losing streak against the Chiefs.

These two teams faced each other in week two of the 2025 season. Burrow threw 23 completions for 258 yards and 2 touchdowns, but lost the game in the final moments due to a successful field goal attempt from Chiefs kicker Harrison Butker.

As for Ryan Clark, he played college football for the LSU Tigers, similar to Burrow. The New York Giants signed him as an undrafted free agent. He spent 13 years in the league playing for the Giants, Steelers, and the Washington Commanders. In 2008, Clark won his first and only Super Bowl ring.

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