Joe Burrow became the first player in NFL history to win the Associated Press Comeback Player of the Year Award for the third time with the same franchise, a testament not only to his resilience but also to his extraordinary talent and relentless determination to overcome adversity. His story with the Cincinnati Bengals has become a modern sports epic, a saga of repeated setbacks, stunning recoveries, and moments that have redefined what it means to fight through hardship and still emerge as a champion on and off the field.
The award, one that typically recognizes players returning from serious injury, illness, or decline in performance, has rarely—if ever—been won multiple times by the same player. Burrow, however, has turned the honor into his own personal marker of perseverance. Each of his three triumphs came under vastly different circumstances, reflecting both the fragility and the resilience of his career.
Burrow’s First Comeback Award
The first came in 2021, following the devastating ACL and MCL tear he suffered as a rookie in 2020. That injury cut short what was shaping up to be a promising debut season. Questions swirled about whether he would retain his mobility, his poise under pressure, and his arm strength. Instead of faltering, Burrow returned in 2021 with one of the most remarkable sophomore campaigns in recent memory. He threw for over 4,600 yards, completed nearly 70% of his passes, and led the Bengals to their first Super Bowl appearance in three decades. His toughness behind a shaky offensive line, coupled with his calm leadership, earned him universal respect across the league. Winning Comeback Player of the Year was both expected and deserved.
The Second Award and Another Test of Resilience
In 2023, Burrow again found himself in familiar territory: sidelined by a torn ligament in his wrist midway through the season. Just when the Bengals were hitting their stride, their franchise quarterback was lost for the year. Once again, the whispers of doubt emerged. Would Burrow remain injury-prone? Could the Bengals continue to build around a quarterback who seemed cursed with bad luck?
When he returned in 2024, Burrow silenced every critic. He posted elite numbers, leading Cincinnati back to the postseason and reestablishing himself among the game’s top-tier quarterbacks. His ability to adapt his playing style—emphasizing precision passing, quicker releases, and reading defenses even faster—showed his football IQ was just as formidable as his physical skills. That evolution helped him secure his second Comeback Player of the Year award, a feat that had rarely been seen in the NFL.
The Third Award and Cementing His Legacy
What makes his third award in 2025 historic is not only the sheer rarity of it but also the emotional weight behind it. Burrow entered the season with renewed optimism but suffered a calf injury in training camp that many thought would derail his campaign before it even began. The early months of the season were difficult, with Burrow visibly limping through games and the Bengals struggling to find rhythm. Yet, instead of giving in, he fought back once again. By midseason, his mobility returned, his chemistry with Ja’Marr Chase and Tee Higgins reignited, and the Bengals surged in the standings.
Statistically, Burrow’s numbers rivaled his career best—well over 4,500 passing yards, 35 touchdowns, and a passer rating that ranked among the league leaders. But beyond the box score, his leadership was what defined him. Teammates spoke of his resilience as contagious, a steadying force in the locker room that convinced the Bengals they could compete with anyone, no matter the obstacles.
Historical Context
No player in league history had ever won the Comeback Player of the Year award more than twice. For Burrow to do it three times, with the same team, underscores his unique journey. He represents the modern face of perseverance in the NFL, embodying the idea that greatness is not defined by avoiding setbacks but by how one responds to them. His story now joins the pantheon of football legends, alongside names like Peyton Manning and Tom Brady, who were celebrated for their comebacks but never experienced the repeated cycle of fall and rise that Burrow has endured.
Impact on the Bengals and Cincinnati
For the Bengals, Burrow’s resilience has been transformative. Once a franchise plagued by mediocrity and heartbreak, they have become perennial contenders under his leadership. His presence revitalized not only the team but also the city of Cincinnati. Fans who once braced themselves for disappointment now embrace genuine hope every season, buoyed by Burrow’s tenacity and skill.
His repeated comebacks have also altered how the organization builds around him. The front office has invested more heavily in the offensive line, bolstered the defense, and embraced Burrow’s input in roster construction. The message is clear: as long as Burrow is under center, the Bengals will push all chips to the center of the table.
Symbol Beyond Football
Burrow’s journey extends beyond the gridiron. His story has become an inspiration for athletes in every sport and for anyone facing setbacks in life. Each award he has won tells a different chapter in a narrative of resilience, perseverance, and defiance against the odds. His repeated ability to rebound from adversity resonates with fans who see in him a reflection of their own struggles and triumphs.
Looking Ahead
At just 28 years old, Burrow’s career is far from finished. The question now shifts from whether he can stay healthy to how much more history he can make. Three Comeback Player of the Year awards may never be matched, but Burrow has his sights set on bigger goals: delivering a Super Bowl to Cincinnati, cementing himself as one of the greatest quarterbacks of his generation, and perhaps redefining how success and resilience are measured in professional sports.
In the end, Joe Burrow’s third Comeback Player of the Year award is not just a milestone in his career—it is a symbol of his unshakable spirit. Where others see injuries as derailments, he sees opportunities for rebirth. Where others give in to doubt, he responds with poise. And where history had no precedent, he has created one.
This achievement has forever etched his name in NFL history, not only as a brilliant quarterback but as a living testament to the power of resilience. Joe Burrow has become the league’s ultimate comeback story—and with his prime years still ahead, the legend is only beginning.
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