The Cincinnati Bengals discover themselves at a crossroads after consecutive playoff misses regardless of having one of many NFL’s most gifted quarterbacks.
Joe Burrow has delivered distinctive particular person performances, however crew success has remained elusive since their memorable Tremendous Bowl run three seasons in the past.
The irritating sample has sparked hypothesis about potential friction between the franchise quarterback and the group’s route.
Analyst John Middlekauff lately floated a situation that might ship shockwaves by means of the NFL throughout a current episode of three & Out.
“Is he going to ask for a commerce after the season? He may go. ‘It’s time for me to go away. Ship me to an actual group,’” Middlekauff stated.
“He may go, ‘it’s time for me to go away, ship me to an actual group.’”@JohnMiddlekauff questions if Joe Burrow may ultimately pressure his approach out of Cincinnati if issues go south once more. pic.twitter.com/KP6sLdqgx6
— 3&OUT with John Middlekauff (@3andout_pod) August 24, 2025
He in contrast the state of affairs to Carson Palmer’s standoff with Mike Brown years in the past, when Palmer demanded a commerce, just for the proprietor to refuse, pushing Palmer towards retirement.
Middlekauff expressed doubt that Brown would willingly half together with his present franchise quarterback, particularly contemplating his observe report of stubbornness in comparable conditions.
Burrow’s statistical dominance final season makes any commerce speak appear untimely.
He led the league with 4,918 passing yards whereas throwing 43 touchdowns towards simply 9 interceptions. His completion share reached 70.6% with a median of 289.3 yards per sport.
The quarterback additionally added 201 dashing yards and two touchdowns on the bottom.
But the Bengals nonetheless completed 9-8 and watched the playoffs from dwelling.
Cincinnati’s defensive struggles proceed to undermine Burrow’s elite play.
Those self same points that derailed final season stay unresolved heading into the present marketing campaign, probably establishing one other 12 months of particular person brilliance overshadowed by crew disappointment.
NEXT: Dan Orlovsky Makes Case For Bengals To Pay All-Professional Defender
