Joe Burrow, the Bengals star, isn’t used to being No. 39 at anything. But when NFL.com revealed its top 100 players, as voted on by the players themselves, that’s where the Cincinnati quarterback ranked.

Burrow gave it a pragmatic shrug when a reporter asked him about the ranking.

“I think I’m obviously better than that,” said the Bengals quarterback. “But when you’re not playing … I didn’t have exactly a season that would have put me any higher than that. When you’re hurt, you really can’t complain much about any accolades or anything, until you go out and prove yourself again.”

Burrow missed a chunk of last season with two injuries. First, the calf strain that he suffered early in training camp, slowed him in September. Then on Nov. 16 against the Ravens, the Bengals quarterback tore a ligament in his right wrist. He needed surgery and missed the rest of the season.

Bengals QB missed 7 games in 2023

Burrow is correct. When you play in only 10 games, it’s difficult to generate statistics worthy of any attention. His record as a starter was 5-5. He threw for 2,309 yards with 15 touchdowns and six interceptions. Without its starting quarterback, the Bengals missed the playoffs. AFC North Division is too tough.

NFL.com wrote of Burrow: “started a season bookended by injuries slowly due to a lingering calf ailment, but he was heating up with five multi-touchdown games in a row before a torn wrist ligament ended his campaign in Week 11. The last time Burrow saw a season cut short, he returned to lead the Bengals to a Super Bowl berth and win AP Comeback Player of the Year. That’ll be the goal again, only this time he’ll want a ring, as well.”

So who did the players vote as the best in the NFL? That would be Dolphins star Tyreek Hill, who was the first receiver ever to receive the most votes in the 14 years of the survey.

Quarterbacks who ranked higher than Burrow

2. Lamar Jackson (Ravens)
4. Patrick Mahomes (Chiefs)
12. Josh Allen (Bills)
15. Jalen Hurts (Eagles)
16. Dak Prescott (Cowboys)
20. CJ Stroud (Texans)
28. Brock Purdy (49ers)
34. Jordan Love (Packers)
36. Tua Tagovailoa (Dolphins)

A reporter asked Burrow if the low ranking would motivate him this season. The Bengals already are trying to get back to the playoffs after earning spots in two straight AFC championships.

“Maybe it motivates you — for a day,” Burrow said. “But … I don’t think you can continuously rely on that for motivation. You have to be intrinsically motivated to play at the level I want to play at and be as good as I want to be. That only motivates you and takes you so far.”

Burrow is back at full strength at Bengals training camp. How he responds this season after what happened in 2023 certainly will be one of the biggest stories in the NFL. The Bengals play host to the Buccaneers next Saturday to start their preseason schedule.