The Plot Thickens on Joe Burrow’s Trade Availability
Cincinnati Bengals quarterback Joe Burrow recently told local media that he needed to rediscover his love for football, comments that many interpreted as suggesting Burrow could eventually request a trade out of Cincinnati — or retire, as Andrew Luck did six years ago. Fast forward to Week 16, and Burrow did little to beat the allegations of interest in a trade.
Burrow-to-Minnesota is the kind of rumor that spreads because it’s fun, not because it’s likely, but the timing makes it worth a reality check.
There’s a long way to go before the Burrow’s trade mill turns white-hout, but the man didn’t do himself any favors on Wednesday if his goal was to prove he’s content with his current team.
What’s Driving the Joe Burrow Trade Chatter?
Trade theories will follow Burrow into the offseason.
Reporter Asks Burrow about a Trade; Mum’s the Word
After Burrow’s comments last week about apparent sadness, reporters asked this week if he could see himself playing for a different team down the road.
He replied, “You think about a lot of things.”
Burrow added, “A lot of crazy things happen every year.” He also mentioned the Micah Parsons trade for the Dallas Cowboys to the Green Bay Packers earlier this year, “That’s something I hadn’t seen in a long time in the NFL. Crazy things can happen.”
So, no, Burrow did little to push back against the trade speculation.
A QB Very Vividly at a Crossroads
The Bengals are presumably in no hurry to trade Burrow. Why would they? He’s a Top 5 NFL quarterback, and might even be Top 3 when his team is fully locked in.
However, based on the words escaping his lips, something is amuck for the 29-year-old. The dude isn’t happy, and what he is saying right now is typically the framework for an exit strategy. There’s also the element of the Bengals’ front office: that group is notoriously prickly. Every offseason, at least one high-profile player expresses disgruntlement, and a waiting game ensues on how a resolution will be found.
Burrow is the latest participant, and if we’re frank, he sounds like a guy who wants the hell out. Or at least wants to be happy again.
The Would-Be Vikings Interest
Roughly two dozen NFL teams would probably pick up the phone to inquire about Burrow’s trade price. That’s how good he is when healthy, a total franchise-changer.
Of course, the Vikings have their young quarterback plan in motion, auditioning J.J. McCarthy for the job. McCarthy played dreadfully during his first six starts, but has turned the page on those struggles in the last two games, providing glimmers of hope that he can be “the guy” at quarterback for the next decade.
Still, if McCarthy stumbled — basically regressed or got hurt — Minnesota would have no choice but to poke around Burrow’s trade availability, reuniting him with his National Championship-winning teammate Justin Jefferson.
It’s just that a Herschel Walker-style trade would be needed to acquire Burrow — for the Vikings or any NFL team.
An Ungodly Trade Price
An NFL team can trade up to three 1st-Round picks; no more is allowed.
So, yes, that is the going rate for Burrow, probably three 1st-Rounders, a player, and maybe even more mid-round draft capital as a sweetener. Burrow could stabilize a franchise for the next half-decade, and if he’s built like Tom Brady or Aaron Rodgers, perhaps longer.
If one assumes that Burrow will eventually ask for a trade, some team will pay that price.
But unless the Bengals hire former Dallas Mavericks general manager Nico Harrison to engineer the trade, Burrow will cost three 1st-Round picks and then some.
Raiders-Themed Media on a Burrow Trade
Starved for a franchise quarterback, Las Vegas Raiders-themed websites believe Pete Carroll and friends should nibble at Burrow’s trade availability.
Silver and Black Pride‘s Bill Williamson wrote this week, “The rumor mill is already churning that the Cincinnati Bengals could get to the point where they entertain trade talks for star quarterback Joe Burrow.”
“In fact, after Burrow made some comments about his overall frustration last week, some talk heads have already connected the Raiders to a potential pursuit of Burrow. If the Burrow talk continues to percolate in the offseason, we will have plenty of time to discuss the pro and cons of making a move for the 29-year-old based on his injury history and cost in terms of contract.”
The Geno Smith era in Las Vegas will likely last just one year.
Williamson continued, “Let’s be real; the cost is going to be enormous for any team to trade for Burrow. It has already been speculated it could cost up to three first-round picks and two second-round picks. I’ve talked to some folks who think it could cost the Raiders their top pick in 2026 (even it’s the No. 1 overall pick), super pass-rusher Maxx Crosby and maybe even 20025 top pick, running back Ashton Jeanty.”
“This is all speculation, but the point is, the Raiders would have to give up a ton in this trade and Crosby may have to be part of it.”
If Burrow forced a trade in the offseason before June 1st, 2026, Cincinnati would be on the hook for over $56 million in dead cap funds.
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