The Cincinnati Bengals discover themselves at a crossroads after consecutive playoff misses regardless of having one of many NFL’s most proficient quarterbacks.
Joe Burrow has delivered distinctive particular person performances, however staff 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 course.
Analyst John Middlekauff lately floated a state of affairs that might ship shockwaves via 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 depart. Ship me to an actual group,’” Middlekauff mentioned.
“He may go, ‘it’s time for me to depart, ship me to an actual group.’”@JohnMiddlekauff questions if Joe Burrow may finally pressure his means 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 scenario 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 along with his present franchise quarterback, particularly contemplating his observe document of stubbornness in comparable conditions.
Burrow’s statistical dominance final season makes any commerce discuss 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 mean of 289.3 yards per recreation.
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, doubtlessly establishing one other 12 months of particular person brilliance overshadowed by staff disappointment.
NEXT: Dan Orlovsky Makes Case For Bengals To Pay All-Professional Defender
