Joe Burrow doesn't really do things halfway. When he decided to show up for the 2024 training camp with a bleached-blonde buzz cut, the internet basically broke. People were calling him Slim Shady and making Ken doll jokes for weeks. But if you’ve been paying attention lately, things have changed. The "Eminem era" is officially over, and we’ve entered the age of Joe Burrow long hair.
Honestly, it caught a lot of people off guard. One minute he’s rocking the buzz, and the next, he’s on the sidelines with these dark, floppy locks that look like they belong in a 2012 indie rock band. It’s a vibe. A specific vibe. And like everything Joey B does, it has sparked a massive debate among Bengals fans and style critics alike.
The Evolution of the Flow
If you look back at his LSU days, Burrow usually kept things pretty tight. It was that classic, clean-cut "quarterback" look. Then came the NFL, the Cartier glasses, and the high-fashion runway walks in Paris. He started experimenting.
By late 2025 and into early 2026, the hair started reaching what stylists call the "awkward phase." It’s that length where it’s not quite long enough to tie back, but it’s definitely too long to stay out of your eyes. During a recent postgame press conference after a tough loss to the Cleveland Browns, a video went viral not for what Joe said, but for what he did. He couldn't stop touching his hair.
He was pushing strands back, adjusting the sides, and basically wrestling with his own head every ten seconds. It was relatable, honestly. Anyone who has ever tried to grow their hair out knows that specific struggle. You look in the mirror and think you're Brad Pitt, but the camera catches you looking like a kid who just discovered Fall Out Boy.
Why the sudden change?
So, why did he ditch the buzz for the long hair?
Burrow told reporters back when he first bleached it that he simply "got bored." That seems to be his M.O. He doesn't follow trends; he just kind of does what he feels like that morning. His stylist, Kyle Smith, has mentioned before that Joe isn't really checking what everyone else is wearing. He’s into self-expression.
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- The Boredom Factor: He likes to switch things up when he’s in a rut.
- The Influence: Teammate B.J. Hill actually had a bet with him about the buzz cut, but the growth seems to be a solo mission.
- The Aesthetic: It fits the "Joe Cool" persona—a bit detached, a bit "I don't care," but still very intentional.
Is the Long Hair a Good Luck Charm or a Curse?
Football fans are superstitious. It's just how we are. When the Bengals hit a slump, people immediately pointed at the hair. When he had the frosted tips, the team lost three straight. Fans on X (the platform formerly known as Twitter) started begging him to get a trim.
But then there’s the "Emo Joe" era. During his injury stint in late 2025, cameras caught him on the sidelines looking pretty moody with that side-swept fringe. The memes were brutal. People were comparing him to the "Children of the Corn" and saying he looked like he was about to drop the saddest album of 2026.
But here’s the thing: Joe’s hair doesn’t throw interceptions. He’s still the same guy who can dissect a defense in his sleep. The hair is just part of the show. Whether it's the buzz, the bleach, or the long curls, it’s all part of the brand.
How to Get the Joe Burrow Look (If You Dare)
If you're thinking about growing your hair out to match the QB1, you need to be prepared. This isn't a "set it and forget it" situation. Darnell Bonner, the barber who has handled Burrow's fades in the past, knows that maintaining a look like this requires some actual effort.
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- Be patient with the "in-between" stage. This is where most guys quit. You’re going to look a little messy for about three or four months.
- Use the right product. You can’t just use 3-in-1 shampoo and expect to have "Joe Cool" flow. You need a matte styling cream or a light salt spray to give it that textured, "I just rolled out of bed but I still look like a millionaire" look.
- Know when to trim. Even if you're going long, you need to clean up the neck and around the ears. Otherwise, you go from "NFL Superstar" to "Guy who hasn't left his basement" real fast.
What’s Next for Joe’s Hair?
Predictions for the 2026 season are all over the place. Some think he’ll go back to the natural sandy blonde look he had when he first entered the league. Others are betting on a man-bun if he keeps the growth going. Personally, I wouldn't be surprised if he showed up tomorrow with a mohawk or something equally wild.
The reality is that Joe Burrow long hair is more than just a style choice; it’s a distraction from the intense pressure of being a franchise savior. It gives the media something to talk about that isn't his wrist or his completion percentage. And as long as he’s winning games—or at least looking cool while trying—the fans are going to keep watching his head as much as they watch his arm.
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If you’re planning on mimicking the growth, start now. It takes time to get that level of "shaggy but chic" volume. Just make sure you have a headband ready for the gym, or you’ll end up like Joe in that press conference—spending half your time fighting your own fringe.
The most important takeaway here is to own the look. Joe doesn't apologize for his style, and that’s why it works. Whether people love it or roast it, he stays the most talked-about head of hair in the AFC North. Keep an eye on the sidelines this weekend; the "flow" might just be reaching its final form.