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For the third season in a row is Cincinnati Bengals will be on the outside looking in when the NFL playoffs kick off.
Joe Burrows’ future with the team has been a topic of conversation as the Bengals come to terms with the reality of another season that doesn’t go as planned.
The star quarterback recently made comments that apparently fueled speculation about his status with the franchise that selected him first overall six seasons ago. He hinted that enjoying the game was a priority, saying he wanted to “go and have fun [and] play soccer.”
Amid the speculation, NFL Insider Jonathan Jones reported that several teams could pursue Burrow this offseason. While it remains unlikely that Cincinnati will trade the 29-year-old, any team inquiring about Burrow should be prepared to face a hefty price tag.
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Joe Burrow of the Cincinnati Bengals looks to pass during a game against the Jacksonville Jaguars at Paycor Stadium on September 14, 2025 in Cincinnati. (Andy Lyons/Getty Images)
An unnamed executive of an AFC team told CBS Sports it would take a historic draft move, citing “Ricky Williams-type trade” compensation for the Bengals to consider an immediate future without Burrow. It took every pick, a total of six picks, for the New Orleans Saints to get into position to draft Williams in 1999. New Orleans also sent a first-round pick and a third-rounder to Washington.
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Joe Burrow of the Cincinnati Bengals plays against the Cleveland Browns at Huntington Bank Field on September 7, 2025 in Cleveland. (Gregory Shamus/Getty Images)
Another manager suggested a couple of drafts for the first round as a starting point for negotiations.
“It probably depends on if a team has a young QB or players to offer, but imagine they won’t even pick up the phone if you don’t have at least two first-round picks, plus more,” an NFC front office executive told the outlet. “Maybe even three if you don’t do it with any players involved.”
Last week, Burrow tried to ease concerns about his future in Cincinnati.
“I can’t see that. No.” he responded when asked if he could envision himself in another NFL team’s uniform in 2026. However, a follow-up question about suiting up for another franchise at some point later in his career drew a vague response from the star signal caller.
“You think about a lot of things,” he said.
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Burrow and the Bengals agreed to a long-term contract worth $275 million through 2023. The deal made him one of the highest-paid players in NFL history. The contract also contained a no-trade clause valid through 2029.
The Bengals host the Arizona Cardinals on Sunday before closing out the season in Cleveland against the Browns in Week 18.
