By: Hunter Montroy

It’s hard to imagine Joe Burrow staying with the Bengals much longer. At most, I believe he’ll tolerate the situation for another two years. The team’s owner, Mike Brown, has a well-documented history of being frugal. He doesn’t prioritize winning or making another Super Bowl run because, at the end of the day, it’s expensive. Retaining generational talent simply isn’t a priority for him. Players who break records and redefine the game mean little to Brown if it requires a substantial financial commitment. Given Burrow’s recent comments about the organization and the growing frustration from key players like Tee Higgins and Ja’Marr Chase, the Bengals are on a dangerous trajectory toward decline unless they make serious changes.

Since 2024, four players have carried the Bengals: Joe Burrow, Ja’Marr Chase, Tee Higgins, and Trey Hendrickson. Now, the one defensive player who stands among the best in the league is on his way out, as the Bengals have granted Hendrickson permission to seek a trade. This is a colossal mistake, especially considering that the team’s glaring weakness is its defense. Last season, the offense performed at an elite level, yet they still lost winnable games due to defensive shortcomings—issues the organization seems unwilling to properly address.

Higgins has been franchise-tagged for a second straight year, and let’s be honest—he’s never getting a long-term deal in Cincinnati. Instead, they’ll attempt to draft his replacement yet again and hope for the best. When Higgins inevitably leaves via trade or free agency next offseason, it will be the first major domino to fall in pushing Burrow toward an exit. The only real reason he’s stayed this long is his deep-rooted connection to Ohio, having played high school football there before attending Ohio State and later transferring to LSU. His attachment to the state is one of the few things keeping him in Cincinnati.

As for Ja’Marr Chase, this offseason has already set the stage for record-breaking contracts. The Bengals have publicly stated that they want to make Chase the highest-paid non-quarterback in the NFL. Yet, they’ve sat back for months and let the market dictate an even higher price. Now, with Myles Garrett securing a historic $40 million per year, the Bengals—specifically Mike Brown—have put themselves in a tough position. Had they acted sooner, they could have saved upwards of $10 million. But like any dysfunctional front office, they waited, and now they’ll likely end up overpaying, much like the Cowboys do year after year with their contracts.

Burrow is no fool—he wants to win, and he now sees that the Bengals simply do not have the same urgency. He’s inching closer to the door, and a departure feels inevitable. If trade talks ever begin, the most logical suitors would be competitive teams near Ohio. The Lions, despite signing Jared Goff to a massive contract, could theoretically structure a trade similar to the Rams-Lions swap in 2021. While it’s unlikely, there’s no reason not to entertain the possibility. Burrow is one of the most talented quarterbacks in the league, and being part of a determined, bite-your-kneecaps-off type team is where he could thrive.

The Browns, given their own internal dysfunction, don’t make sense as a landing spot. The Steelers, however, have been searching for a franchise quarterback for years, and they would likely make a strong push to acquire Burrow. Despite making the playoffs consistently, Pittsburgh hasn’t been taken seriously as a true contender in recent years—they’ve been a one-and-done team. The only reason they’ve remained competitive is head coach Mike Tomlin, whose relentless drive and leadership would likely appeal to Burrow.

Another potential destination is Indianapolis. The Colts have a quarterback dilemma, but they aren’t a bad team by any means. They have offensive talent, and their defense is respectable. However, their decision-making has been questionable, and if things don’t improve with Anthony Richardson, Shane Steichen’s tenure as head coach could be short-lived. A fresh start with a new head coach and a roster built around Burrow would be enticing for any elite quarterback.

Burrow is simply too talented to waste his prime with the Bengals, and he knows it. The NFL is unforgiving, and youth is one of the most valuable assets a player can have. If Cincinnati continues down this path, Burrow won’t just consider leaving—he’ll make sure it happens.