One Thing Vikings Fans Should Remember about the Joe Burrow Trade Buzz
Minnesota Vikings fans have decided in the last few weeks that Cincinnati Bengals quarterback Joe Burrow is a realistic trade target. And while that idea is fantastic, and everyone is welcome to fantasize about it, it’s crucial to remember one thing: Burrow probably isn’t for sale.
Until Burrow openly forces an exit, the Bengals control the cards, and Minnesota’s “dream trade” stays where most offseason fantasies live.
Folks have theorized what it would take via trade to land Burrow, a king’s ransom to be sure. Still, context must be present.
Cincinnati Holds All the Leverage in a Burrow Trade
The Joe Burrow trade rumor is hot and heavy among purple-and-gold enthusiasts.
Don’t Demand a Joe Burrow Trade and Then Get Mad if It Doesn’t Happen
For starters, Burrow-to-Vikings is a fan-driven deal. As an example, Strype Hype‘s Matt Fitzgerald wrote this week, “The Cincinnati Bengals couldn’t be under more pressure as an organization in 2026 when it comes to the future trajectory of franchise quarterback Joe Burrow. Trade buzz is swirling, with multiple recent reports even linking him to a blockbuster deal this offseason to go to the Minnesota Vikings.”
“An offer attractive enough could get the Bengals interested enough to pull the trigger. Don’t put anything past this front office. But at least for one more season, it sure sounds like Burrow is staying put.”
Burrow’s teammate, running back Chase Brown, told CBS Sports this week that Burrow isn’t going anywhere, and those two are pals. Brown is a strong source in this instance.
Therefore, it’s important to remember: if the offseason comes and goes without a Burrow trade, Vikings fans shouldn’t assume that Minnesota’s front office bungled the situation. Burrow isn’t for sale. You can’t get upset about something that isn’t even an option.
The Drake Maye Example
The idea that the Vikings may not end up with Burrow and thus cause fans heartburn, well — look no further than Maye.
The New England Patriots drafted Maye third overall in 2024, and because a substantial faction of fans wanted Maye as the Vikings’ quarterback — this website included — they decided that Minnesota’s draft decision was a binary choice between Maye and J.J. McCarthy. In fact, during the week before the draft, the discussion among Vikings faithful was “Who you got? Maye or McCarthy?”
The problem? Fans made that a choice for the team. Maye was never gettable. The Patriots would not move off the No. 3 pick — probably because they knew Maye would become a franchise quarterback. They were right.
To this day, especially with Maye heading to the Super Bowl in nine days, the group that wanted him remains upset that Minnesota did not draft him and claims, “The Vikings could have had Maye.”
Don’t do that with Burrow. A fan-driven dream is different than reality.
The Bengals Would Be Damn Fools to Trade Burrow
Let’s remember: The Bengals would be utterly stupid and silly to trade Burrow. The most challenging part of any general manager’s job is to find a franchise quarterback. It’s why players like Quinn Ewers, Justin Fields, and Jacoby Brissett see ample playing time in a given season. Hell, the Vikings were forced to roll with Max Brosmer twice in 2025, and he played horribly.
The only way Burrow will migrate from Cincinnati is if he personally steers the ship of change. He will have to request a trade; the Bengals’ management team — they don’t have a traditional general manager — will have to be in a good mood, and the right compensation package must emerge to pull the whole thing off.
None of that is really likely. For the record, Cincinnati’s front office is notoriously prickly and stubborn. If Burrow asked for a trade, the Bengals may simply do nothing and play hardball.
Vikings fans are asking the most hardheaded front office in sports to maybe trade a Top 5 quarterback if he maybe expresses enough disgruntlement to be traded. Too many maybes to be realistic.
Sporting News‘ Dharya Sharma recently noted on the notion of a Burrow trade, “Burrow trade rumors have skyrocketed over the last two years due to Cincinnati’s playoff drought and the failure to provide Burrow with offensive line and coaching support. However, the Bengals would be foolish to trade Burrow, and there is a near-zero percent chance he wears a different uniform anytime soon.”
More Realistic Trade Options?
Well, what in the hell is realistic then? Probably options like this:
- Anthony Richardson
- Davis Mills
- Drew Lock
- Jalen Milroe
- Jameis Winston
- Justin Fields
- Kirk Cousins
- Kyler Murray
- Mac Jones
- Spencer Rattler
- Tua Tagovailoa
- Will Levis
Aside from Murray, none of those candidates is as sexy or splashy as the Burrow idea, but they are realistic.
And in NFL trade-speak, realism matters. Don’t be upset with the Vikings if they don’t trade for a guy who isn’t for sale. That’s irrational. Just like the Drake Maye jealousy.
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