It has been a season Bengals fans want to forget. Before Week 1, Cincinnati was already dealing with drama. Defensive star Trey Hendrickson requested a trade, and first-round pick Shemar Stewart held out deep into training camp.
Then came the injury that changed everything. Burrow underwent surgery for turf toe and missed 9 weeks. During that stretch, Cincinnati went 1-8, sinking out of playoff contention before Thanksgiving weekend.
This collapse was the beginning of the end in recurring themes of Burrow’s Bengals era: elite skill talent, shaky offensive line protection, inconsistent defense, and ownership unwilling to invest long-term in foundational players.
The result? Growing rumors that Burrow may look for a way out this offseason, speculation fueled by media insiders.
On Wednesday, December 17th, reporters asked Burrow directly whether he could see himself playing anywhere else in 2026.
Burrow shut that idea down, well, mostly.
I can’t see that, no.
He told the media.
But moments later, he gave a more elaborate answer when asked whether he’d thought about playing elsewhere.
You think about a lot of things. A lot of crazy things happen every year. Micah Parsons got traded before the season this year… Crazy things can happen.
Both answers fueled the speculation instead of just stopping it.
Is the Bengals-Burrow marriage over?
Burrow will be entering the season that turns heads, when a player turns 30 years old. And after multiple major injuries behind one of the NFL’s worst offensive lines, his future longevity is not guaranteed.
- Key questions now will dominate Bengals’ offseason:
- Will Burrow stay healthy in another rebuild?
- Would management finally invest in the offensive line?
- Will head coach Zac Taylor and staff return?
- Could a new regime accelerate tensions?
With quarterback-needy teams positioning themselves aggressively, insiders believe this could be the offseason where leverage shifts.
Burrow’s contract, age, and growing frustration give him influence, and given how many organizations view themselves as “one quarterback away,” calls to Bengals GM Duke Tobin may already be lining up behind the scenes.
Still, Burrow maintained confidence in the present, at least publicly.
The Bengals have three games left against the Dolphins, Cardinals, and Browns to try salvaging momentum heading into the offseason, but looming uncertainty clouds everything.
Could Burrow be traded for 2026?
Burrow saying “I can’t see that” was reassuring for fans, but his follow-up, acknowledging the possibility of unexpected moves, was telling.
Very few quarterbacks of his caliber have ever been traded, but when medical reality, roster stagnation, and organizational philosophy collide, even the unthinkable becomes possible.
If there were ever a moment when a trade could happen, insiders believe this offseason is it. And unless Cincinnati fixes major issues, the whispers will only grow louder.
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