Steelers Now
Former Pittsburgh Steelers defensive coordinator Dick LeBeau recently gave high praise to Cincinnati Bengals quarterback Joe Burrow, calling him the most accurate passer he’s ever seen. LeBeau is considered one of the greatest defensive minds in NFL history. He also has 59 years of experience in the NFL — 14 seasons as a player and he coached for 45 seasons. Coming from a Hall of Famer like LeBeau, that’s certainly a ringing endorsement for Burrow
“He might be the most accurate I’ve seen,” LeBeau said of Burrow, via Bengals.com. “Here’s an old-timer. When I came into the league there were 12 teams and they each had two quarterbacks. Only 24 people in the country were getting paid to throw the ball, so they were pretty damn good passers.”
Burrow was named NFL Comeback Player of the Year in 2024 after suffering a season-ending right wrist injury last season. After a lengthy rehab process, Burrow went on to lead the league with 4,918 yards, 43 touchdown passes, and 460 completions while posting a completion percentage over 70 percent.
LeBeau coached Burrow’s dad, Jimmy, when he was the Green Bay Packers’ secondary coach in 1976. So he knows all about the Burrow family.
“I had to stand on the table for him,” LeBeau said of drafting Jimmy Burrow. “We drafted him. Aggressive. Smart. Just like Solly. Solly’s a little bigger than Jimmy. I said we should draft Jimmy. Everybody is going to talk about his size. Jimmy was not real big, 178, 179 pounds. But tough. I played a lot of years at 178.”
Given that he coached his dad, LeBeau said he’s no surprised by Joe Burrow’s toughness and competitiveness.
“Tough. That’s where it comes from,” LeBeau said. “Intelligence and knowing the game like he does. That whole family is sharp. Joe Burrow is sharp. Very precise with the ball. Quick with his decisions. He’s got competitive skills. The tighter the situation, the more likely he is to deliver. That’s an unusual combination and that’s why you’ve got a special quarterback there.”
Lebeau thinks Burrow is so special that he sees similarities in him with some NFL all-time greats.
“Van Brocklin. Starr. Unitas,” LeBeau said. “They just had ball placement, and Joe reminds me of those guys a lot. He’s a better athlete. Quicker. Can run more. He doesn’t get much credit for his escapability, but he he’s not a sitting duck back there. He can do that part. You can’t say this guy is better than that guy. But they’re all right up there and that’s where Joe is.”
