Burrow, who missed 9 video games in 2025 as a consequence of harm, has a proper to be annoyed. The Bengals have failed to supply the star QB a complementary protection that might give the offense an opportunity. The backup quarterback scenario was additionally an issue final yr, with Cincy going 1-8 in non-Burrow begins.
Being annoyed with the shortage of success and wanting out are two very various things. Brown mentioned he hasn’t talked with Burrow about it however mentioned the rumors are simply a part of being a high-profile NFL participant.
“To be honest, I’ve never really spoken to him about it,” he mentioned. “I’m just under the assumption that it’s part of the business. I think today’s NFL, and even throughout the course of NFL history, media has driven the sport. It’s what makes football, football. It makes American football so popular. These storylines are always great, but a lot of times they are full of s—.”
Even if Burrow needed out, the Bengals and proprietor Mike Brown have a historical past of rejecting that form of play. Would the QB be prepared to drag a Carson Palmer and sit out till he bought his approach? That appears like the one technique to pressure a trade from Cincy. Until Burrow lights a fireplace by pushing the narrative that he needs out, we will safely brush apart the offseason smoke as a product of a rumor mill that at all times wants one thing to burn.