If you’ve spent more than five minutes on social media during the NFL offseason, you’ve likely seen the image. You know the one. Joe Burrow, usually draped in a $5,000 designer coat or rocking those signature Cartier glasses, suddenly appears without a shirt, and the internet basically implodes.
It’s a weird phenomenon, honestly. We’re talking about a guy whose "Joe Cool" persona is built on being the most composed person in the room. Yet, the moment the Cincinnati Bengals' franchise savior decides to ditch the fabric—whether he's walking a literal runway in Paris or grinding through a humid July workout—it becomes a national news event.
But there is more to the joe burrow no shirt trend than just "thirst trap" culture. It is a fascinating intersection of elite athletic performance, a calculated shift in how the NFL markets its stars, and a quarterback who is increasingly comfortable in his own skin.
The Paris Runway Moment That Changed Everything
Let’s go back to the summer of 2024. Most NFL players were probably golfing or chilling on a beach. Joe Burrow? He was in France. Along with former LSU teammate Justin Jefferson, Burrow decided to walk the runway for Vogue World: Paris.
He didn't just walk, though. He wore a black Peter Do suit that was, well, backless.
Burrow later admitted to The Rich Eisen Show that the designers gave him a choice: wear a shirt under the blazer or go without one. His reasoning was peak Joey B: "I thought no shirt under it looked better than the shirt under it, and they agreed, so we went with that."
💡 You might also like: Jake Ehlinger Sign: The Real Story Behind the College GameDay Controversy
That one decision sparked a month of memes. Fans were divided. Some thought it was a bold fashion "get," while others on X (formerly Twitter) relentlessly roasted him, calling him a "backstreet boy" or a "try-hard." But the numbers don’t lie. The clips of that walk garnered millions of views, proving that even when the outfit is "diabolically bad" (as some critics put it), people cannot stop watching.
10 Pounds of Muscle: The Science Behind the Look
People aren't just looking at the clothes, though. They’re looking at the frame. After a brutal 2023 season cut short by a wrist injury, Burrow went into what his trainer, Dak Notestine, called a "relentlessly calculated" offseason.
By the time training camp 2024 rolled around, Burrow had added roughly 10 pounds of lean muscle.
- Hydration Shift: He stopped just "drinking water" and started focusing on nutrient absorption through electrolytes.
- The "Black Sheep" Mentality: Working out at Black Sheep Performance in Cincinnati, his routine shifted from just "getting fit" to building a "beefier" frame that could withstand the hits he takes behind the Bengals' offensive line.
- Weight Gain: While he wouldn't reveal his exact playing weight to the press, the visual difference was enough to send the "joe burrow no shirt" searches into a tailspin.
This wasn't just about aesthetics. It was about survival. For a guy who has dealt with a torn ACL, a calf strain, and a torn ligament in his wrist, the extra muscle mass is armor. The fact that it looks good on a magazine cover is just a byproduct of the work.
The NFL’s "Daddy" Era and the Objectification Debate
There is a slightly awkward side to this. In late 2023, the NFL’s official TikTok account started leanng heavily into Burrow’s sex appeal. They were using voiceovers calling him "daddy" and highlighting his looks as much as his completion percentage.
📖 Related: What Really Happened With Nick Chubb: The Injury, The Recovery, and The Houston Twist
It worked.
Women make up nearly 47% of the NFL's fan base, and the league knows it. By leaning into the "thirst" for players like Burrow, they are reaching a demographic that might not care about a Cover 2 defense but will tune in to see what Joe is wearing to the stadium.
However, experts like Lia Haberman have pointed out the risk here. Is it objectification? Probably. Burrow himself seems mostly unbothered, telling People magazine in 2025 that the internet’s crush on him "makes you feel good," even if he finds the shift in perception over the last few years a bit strange.
Why Joe's Style Actually Matters for the Bengals
You might think a quarterback's interest in fashion or his shirtless viral photos are a distraction. Some fans definitely do. When the Bengals started 0-3 in 2024, the comments sections were flooded with people saying he should "focus on football, not fits."
But Burrow sees it differently. He told Sports Illustrated that his mother, Robin Burrow, was in the fashion industry when he was a kid. He was a "quiet and socially awkward" kid who used clothes to express himself.
👉 See also: Men's Sophie Cunningham Jersey: Why This Specific Kit is Selling Out Everywhere
"We’re both artists in our own ways," Burrow said, comparing athletes to designers. "Theirs is with clothes, ours is with our bodies."
This confidence—this willingness to be "weird" or "different"—is the same trait that allows him to stay cool in the pocket with a 300-pound defensive tackle in his face. If he can handle the heat of a backless suit in Paris, he can handle a third-and-long in Kansas City.
Actionable Insights: The "Burrow" Approach to Confidence
If you’re looking to channel some of that "Joe Cool" energy, it isn't just about hitting the gym or buying expensive sunglasses. It’s about the mindset.
- Own the "L": When Burrow got roasted for his bleached blonde hair or his "Saved by the Bell" outfits, he didn't change. He doubled down. Confidence comes from internal validation, not the comment section.
- Function Over Form (Usually): That 10-pound muscle gain was for his wrist health first. Always prioritize the "utility" of your body before the "look."
- Experiment Early: Burrow attributes his style to his mom's influence. Don't be afraid to try a look that’s "out of your comfort zone" to see what sticks.
Whether you're a die-hard Bengals fan or just someone who follows the joe burrow no shirt trends for the "culture," one thing is clear: Burrow has figured out how to be a brand without losing his identity as a ballplayer. He isn't just a quarterback; he's a lightning rod for the modern era of the NFL, where what happens in the tunnel is almost as important as what happens on the turf.
Next time he shows up to camp with a new haircut or a questionable vest, just remember: it's all part of the plan.