Speaking with reporters before the Bengals and Steelers meet for the first time this season, Tomlin described Burrow’s season as “MVP-caliber,” according to ESPN’s Brooke Pryor.

"If you look at the tape, he's MVP-caliber in terms of what he's doing for them," Tomlin said of Burrow, who currently leads the NFL with 27 touchdown passes. Tomlin was specifica

Cincinnati Bengals quarterback Joe Burrow (9) paces between plays in the fourth quarter of the NFL Week 11 game between the Los Angeles Chargers and the Cincinnati Bengals at SoFi Stadium in Inglewood, Calif., on Sunday, Nov. 17, 2024. The Chargers won 34-27. / Sam Greene/The Enquirer / USA TODAY NETWORK via Imagn Images

It wouldn't be right for Joe Burrow to win his first NFL MVP award if the Cincinnati Bengals miss the playoffs with a losing record. The MVP is a regular season award and falling short during the 17-game slate will never get you the votes you need.