Joe Burrow didn’t throw a single pass Monday night, yet he still managed to dominate the conversation—this time, far away from the football field. The Cincinnati Bengals star quarterback made an unexpected appearance at the 2025 Met Gala, joining a sea of celebrities, athletes, and fashion elites at the high-profile event in New York City.
While many attendees embraced the night’s avant-garde theme with bold, extravagant styles, Burrow opted for a more subdued ensemble. He walked the red carpet in a loose-fitting blue suit paired with dark sunglasses, blending classic with casual in a look that straddled understated cool and slightly offbeat.
But as with all things Joe Burrow, the internet had opinions—plenty of them. Social media quickly lit up after the NFL’s official X (formerly Twitter) account posted a photo of Burrow’s outfit. And while some fans appreciated the laid-back vibe, others weren’t nearly as kind.
“His stylist consistently does him dirty,” one user wrote, summing up the general confusion over the suit’s oversized cut. Another chimed in with, “The theme this year is well-tailored suit, and he somehow managed to find the baggiest ill-fitting suit ever.”
The commentary didn’t stop there. One user joked, “Clean up aisle my pants!”—a not-so-subtle dig at the trousers’ baggy proportions. Another added, “He puts more effort into his outfit for week seven of the season,” poking fun at Burrow’s typically clean in-season fashion game.
Others took a more playful route, comparing him to a cartoon mascot. “Who does he think he is, Joe Cool the Camel guy?” one commenter joked, referencing the iconic cigarette mascot known for his shades and chill attitude. Still, some fans appreciated the laid-back flex, including one who praised his subtle move: “Slipping the edge of the sleeve under the watch is an all-time move.”
Regardless of the reactions, one thing is clear—Burrow knows how to command attention, on and off the field. His appearance may not have won over the fashion critics, but it certainly got people talking.
For Bengals fans, however, the Met Gala chatter is just a sideshow. The real focus is on the upcoming 2025 NFL season. After back-to-back 9–8 campaigns and missing the playoffs both years, Cincinnati is hoping to bounce back in a big way—with a healthy Burrow leading the charge.
Despite the team’s recent struggles, Burrow put up elite numbers in 2024: 4,918 passing yards, 43 touchdowns, just eight interceptions, and a 70.6% completion rate. It was a return to form for the former No. 1 overall pick, proving he’s still one of the league’s top quarterbacks when fully fit.
As the season approaches, Bengals fans aren’t concerned with red carpets or designer suits. They want to see No. 9 in stripes, dissecting defenses, and leading Cincinnati back into the postseason spotlight. And if he does that, they’ll forgive him for even the baggiest of suits.