CINCINNATI, Ohio — Early in the fourth quarter of the Bengals’ 17-16 win vs. the Browns in Cleveland, Myles Garrett drilled Joe Burrow on a third-down pass, which you can see in the video above.
The hit went viral almost immediately as on the play, Garrett looped from his right defensive end spot to the middle of the line and hit Burrow as he let the pass go.
While most fans remember the collision that sent Burrow flying, the quarterback was focused on something entirely different.
“I’d say that was my best throw of the day,” Burrow stated matter-of-factly when talking to reporters in his Wednesday press conference. “Everybody likes to show that hit but not necessarily where I put the ball in that situation.”
The throw in question went to Ja’Marr Chase, but the pass was incomplete because Chase did not get a second foot down inbounds.
This isn’t just post-game bravado but a window into the mentality of an elite NFL quarterback. In a single statement, Burrow demonstrates his ability to compartmentalize pain, ignore intimidation, and focus exclusively on execution. Where fans and media see a highlight-reel hit, Burrow sees a successfully completed pass under extreme duress.
The Bengals-Browns rivalry has long been characterized by physical play, particularly when Garrett is involved. The All-Pro defensive end has made a habit of delivering punishing blows to AFC North quarterbacks. What makes Burrow unique is his ability to absorb these hits while maintaining his focus on the task at hand.
When pressed about the intensity of Garrett’s hit, Burrow casually dismissed the impact. “When you’re out there you don’t really feel much,” he explained, underscoring the adrenaline-fueled tunnel vision that elite athletes develop in competition.
Rather than dwelling on the defensive pressure he faced, Burrow turned the conversation toward areas where he could improve. “I think I could’ve used my legs a little more in those situations. Recognize man and try to get out of the pocket,” he analyzed. “But at the end of the day, you know we got to make one-on-one plays in big-time spots.”
This response reveals another crucial aspect of Burrow’s approach: his relentless self-evaluation. Even after taking a hit that would leave most people in the training room, he’s already processing how to avoid similar situations in the future while still delivering in crucial moments.
The Bengals-Browns matchups have become must-watch television partly because of these high-stakes individual battles. When Myles Garrett lines up against the Bengals’ offensive line, everyone in the stadium knows what’s coming. The question isn’t whether Garrett will generate pressure—it’s whether Burrow can deliver despite it.
In Week 1, the answer was yes. Despite the Browns’ formidable pass rush, Burrow managed to lead the Bengals to victory, starting Cincinnati’s season on a positive note after several years of slow starts.
“Certainly I think we’d be having some different discussions in here if we had lost that game,” Burrow acknowledged, understanding the narrative shifts that come with each result.
For fans looking to understand what separates good quarterbacks from great ones, moments like these provide the clearest evidence. It’s not about avoiding hits—it’s about how you respond to them, both physically and mentally.
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