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For a third consecutive season, the Cincinnati Bengals will be on the outside looking in when the NFL playoffs begin.
Joe Burrow’s future with the team has been a topic of conversation as the Bengals come to terms with the reality of another season that won’t go as planned.
The star the quarterback recently made comments this has seemingly fueled speculation about his status within the franchise that selected him first overall six seasons ago. He hinted that enjoying the game was a priority, saying he wanted to “go have fun [and] play football.”
Amid speculation, NFL insider Jonathan Jones reported that several teams could pursue Burrow this offseason. While it remains unlikely that Cincinnati will ultimately agree to a deal for the 29-year-old, any team inquiring about Burrow should be willing to pay a premium price.
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Joe Burrow of the Cincinnati Bengals looks to pass during the game against the Jacksonville Jaguars at Paycor Stadium on September 14, 2025, in Cincinnati, Ohio. (Andy Lyons/Getty Images)
An anonymous AFC team executive told CBS Sports it would take a historic crop of draft picks, referring to “Ricky Williams-type” compensation for the Bengals to consider an immediate future without Burrow. It took every pick, a total of six selections, for the New Orleans Saints to put themselves in position to draft Williams in 1999. New Orleans also sent the future first-rounder and a future third-rounder to Washington.
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Joe Burrow (9) of the Cincinnati Bengals plays against the Cleveland Browns at Huntington Bank Field on September 7, 2025 in Cleveland, Ohio. (Grégory Shamus/Getty Images)
Another executive suggested that a few first-round picks be the starting point for negotiations.
“It probably depends on whether a team has a young QB or players to offer, but imagine they won’t even answer the phone if you don’t have at least two first-round picks and more,” an NFC front office official told the outlet. “Maybe even three if you don’t do it with players involved.”
Last week, Burrow tried to allay concerns about his future in Cincinnati.
“I can’t see that. No.” he responded when asked if he could imagine himself in the uniform of another NFL team in 2026. However, a follow-up question about suiting up for another franchise at some point later in his career elicited a vague response from the star caller: “You think about a lot of things.”
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Burrow and the Bengals reached an agreement on a long-term contract worth a total of $275 million in 2023. The deal made him one of the highest-paid players in NFL history. The contract also included a no-trade clause valid until 2029.
The Bengals will host the Arizona Cardinals on Sunday, before closing out the season in Cleveland against the Browns in Week 18.
