NFL All-Pro linebacker Fred Warner has never stopped demonstrating the utmost respect he has for Joe Burrow and his quarterback duties. To Warner, Bengals quarterback Joe Burrow is one of the league’s toughest players.
The duo had faced off in recent games, giving Warner an up-close view of Burrow’s game. Here’s his take in full.
Fred Warner Tags Bengals QB Joe Burrow One of the League’s Toughest
Fred Warner
Cincinnati Bengals quarterback Joe Burrow (9) and Cleveland Browns defensive end Myles Garrett (95) talk between plays in the first quarter of the NFL Week 18 game between the Cincinnati Bengals and the Cleveland Browns at Paycor Stadium in Downtown Cincinnati on Sunday, Jan. 4, 2026.
Speaking on his previous encounters with Burrow, Warner described a couple of their on-field meetings. Warner recants running tight through him to prevent him from making a move. However, the sturdy quarterback reportedly delivered the ball as if Warner’s attempts mattered little.
Warner tries to graphically relay how impactful the moment was for him, considering the tenacity he experienced first-hand. Moreover, Warner hailed Burrow’s competitive spirit as one that consistently pulls the team around him. Warner added that Burrow’s toughness is rare among most other players. Ultimately, he certifies Burrow as a special and relentless player who’s miles above many other contemporary quarterbacks in the NFL.
Burrow played against Warner’s 49ers team in 2021 and 2023, registering a combined 53-66 passing for 631 yards and five touchdown passes in those games with no interceptions. In each outing, Burrow successfully broke through Warner’s defenses, posting 125-plus passer ratings in both games. That makes it little wonder why Warner had few challenges picking up Burrow’s name when asked about his thoughts on the league’s toughest athletes.
Wow: 49ers star LB Fred Warner says Bengals QB Joe Burrow is "toughest" quarterback he’s faced in the NFL.
“1,000% Joe Burrow. He’s just a dog. Like, he just, for whatever reason, his makeup’s different than a lot of these guys in this league.”
“You talk about competitive… pic.twitter.com/4IdTcXWMl9
— Dov Kleiman (@NFL_DovKleiman) February 24, 2026
A social media account sharedWarner’s take on X, stirring different comments from NFL fans:
“Wow: 49ers star LB Fred Warner says Bengals QB Joe Burrow is “toughest” quarterback he’s faced in the NFL.
“1,000% Joe Burrow. He’s just a dog. Like, he just, for whatever reason, his makeup’s different than a lot of these guys in this league.”
“You talk about competitive spirit, he’s got it through and through.””
Joe Burrow’s already writing his unique NFL story as one of the league’s most relentless quarterbacks. However, rather than have Burrow tell all his tales himself, Burrow’s NFL story would rather have Warner write parts of it.