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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 Cincinnati is unlikely to deal 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 a game against the Jacksonville Jaguars at Paycor Stadium on September 14, 2025, in Cincinnati. (Andy Lyons/Getty Images)
An anonymous AFC team executive said CBS Sports It would take a historic crop of draft picks, mentioning “Ricky Williams-type trade” 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 be able to draft Williams in 1999. New Orleans also sent a first-round pick and a third-round pick 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. (Grégory Shamus/Getty Images)
Another executive suggested a few first-round picks as a 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 then some,” 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 replied 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 signal caller.
“We think about a lot of things,” he says.
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Burrow and the Bengals reached an agreement on a long-term contract worth $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 host the Arizona Cardinals Sunday before closing the season in Cleveland against the Browns in Week 18.
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