The former No. 1 overall pick is projected to leave the Bengals after several years of struggles to win games, advance to the playoffs, and stay healthy behind a weak offensive line.
NFL insiders suggest a “divorce” between Burrow and the franchise may be on the horizon . An unnamed general manager put it bluntly:
“This is it. Dude, [the Bengals] aren’t going out and trading for Maxx Crosby or something like that. The defense sucks. This is the final year that Chase and Higgins are both there.
While Burrow will likely stay in Cincinnati for 2026, trade rumors won’t stop especially if the Bengals fail to surround him with talent.
“My take is, Burrow just for his sanity, has really enjoyed his offseasons, because deep down he knows, I’m not playing with the same level of scouting department, we’re not making deals happen,” Cowherd said .
Middlekauff floated the idea of Burrow heading to Los Angeles:“It does feel like Sean McVay (will make a big trade) for him next offseason” .
NFL executives tell Los Angeles Rams on SI they anticipate that if Matthew Stafford retires, Les Snead and the Rams are expected to make a tremendous push for Burrow .
Cowherd predicted Burrow would target one of two specific offensive coaches:“It’ll be one of these Kevin O’Connell, [Sean] McVay high-end offensive coaches” .
Burrow signed a five-year, $275 million extension in 2023 that runs through the 2029 season . Trading him this offseason would trigger an astronomical $56.5 million dead cap hit for Cincinnati effectively impossible .
However, by next offseason (2027), that figure drops to a more manageable $35.7 million, which could be spread out over several years .