Quarterback Joe Burrow shared a massive update about his future with the Cincinnati Bengals.
Will Joe Burrow be on the Bengals in 2026?
Joe Burrow speaks to the media ahead of Week 16 against the Miami Dolphins.
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— Cincinnati Bengals (@Bengals) December 17, 2025
For lack of a better phrase, Burrow has been in his feelings.
After making it to the Super Bowl in 2021 and the AFC Championship in 2022, the Bengals will miss the postseason for the third consecutive year.
2025 has been a year Burrow would like to forget. The 29-year-old missed nine games with a turf toe injury that required surgery.
To make matters worse, Burrow has shared troublesome comments about the unhappiness he’s felt playing football since returning from injury.
Burrow’s comments have fueled speculation that the quarterback wants to retire or play for another team.
During Wednesday’s press conference, a reporter asked Burrow if there is a world where he would not be on the Bengals in 2026.
“I can’t see that, no,” Burrow said to the media.
Before Bengals fans could breathe a sigh of relief, Burrow did not shut down a question about whether he’s thought about playing elsewhere.
“A lot of crazy things happen every year,” Burrow said. “Micah Parsons got traded before the season this year.”
Burrow added, “Crazy things can happen.”
What is clear: Burrow is not planning to shut it down this season despite having no chance at the postseason. Burrow wants to play.
“I like playing football,” Burrow said. “For the same reasons that I wanted to push to come back from injury, the same reasons I wanted to play this week. It feels like everything, everybody’s trying to do everything in their power to make me not play football, and I feel like I’m fighting it, like fighting everybody else. I just want to play ball. That’s all I want to do.”
What Would a Joe Burrow Trade Look Like?
Joe Burrow on the future of his football career and the possibility of playing for a team other than the Bengals 👀 pic.twitter.com/omRl0gInCF
— SportsCenter (@SportsCenter) December 17, 2025
When healthy, Burrow is one of the best quarterbacks in football. Many experts put Burrow in the same tier as Josh Allen, Patrick Mahomes, and Lamar Jackson.
Burrow’s health has cut three of his six seasons short. When he does play, his talent is undeniable.
In 2023, the Bengals and Burrow agreed to a five-year, $275 million contract extension that keeps him signed through the 2029 season.
For the Bengals to move on from Burrow, it would come via trade. What would a Burrow trade look like?
If it’s a picks-based trade, the Bengals would likely covet three first-round picks and multiple later-round picks to even consider trading Burrow.
If a star player was involved, say Maxx Crosby of the Raiders, it would take fewer first-round picks.
