Joe Burrow might need to brace himself for a frustrating offseason. The Cincinnati Bengals’ franchise QB is used to winning, but this time, the battle isn’t on-field — it’s in the front office.
With several key players facing uncertain futures, one NFL general manager reportedly believes Burrow won’t be happy with how things will unfold.
Can the Bengals Keep Joe Burrow’s Core Intact?
With several key Bengals stars facing uncertain futures, Burrow is doing his part to push for roster continuity. But the front office has tough decisions ahead, and that could mean disappointment for the Bengals franchise QB.
Burrow made waves on a podcast, openly discussing contract flexibility and cap management. His goal is to help the Bengals keep Ja’Marr Chase, Tee Higgins, Trey Hendrickson, and Mike Gesicki.
But according to Jason La Canfora of The Washington Post, some league executives don’t believe that’s possible. One anonymous GM went so far as to say, “Burrow is going to be pissed,” predicting the team will only manage to keep two of the four.
Higgins, in particular, is a major question mark. If he hits the open market, multiple execs expect him to command $30 million per year. The Bengals could apply a second franchise tag to prevent that, but it’s unclear whether Higgins would accept a long-term deal in Cincinnati at that number.
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Hendrickson, meanwhile, is in a contract standoff, seeking an extension or a trade. Chase is expected to stay, though structuring the deal will be key. Gesicki, fresh off catching passes from Burrow, could cash in elsewhere.
Keeping all four would require sacrifices — both from players and the front office. But if the Bengals fall short, Burrow’s frustration could become the biggest storyline of the offseason. And for a QB who’s all about winning, that’s a scenario Cincy can’t afford.
Colin Cowherd Predicts Bengals’ Worst Nightmare
Burrow’s patience might have an expiration date, at least according to Colin Cowherd. The outspoken analyst believes the Bengals’ lack of front-office firepower could push their franchise QB to eventually request a trade.
On “The Herd with Colin Cowherd,” Cowherd didn’t hold back, pointing out the Bengals’ limited scouting resources compared to powerhouses like the Eagles.
“They don’t have a real GM. Eagles have like one of the best, if not the best, and two assistant GMs,” Cowherd said. “Eagles have 21 scouts on their website, we looked. Bengals have four. So Joe Burrow, to some degree, is trapped. Think about this, I’ll say this. I absolutely think at some point he’ll demand to be traded. I really believe that.
"I absolutely think at some point, he'll demand to be traded. I really believe that." Colin Cowherd on Joe Burrow and the Cincinnati Bengals pic.twitter.com/ttFYLGYgyP
— Awful Announcing (@awfulannouncing) February 13, 2025
“It’s very hard to miss the playoffs when you have a great quarterback. One team that happened this year: Cincinnati. It’s virtually impossible. Forty percent of the league goes to the playoffs. If you have a great quarterback in a quarterback league, you’re going to the playoffs.”
It’s a hot take, but it’s not entirely baseless. The Bengals missed the playoffs despite having an elite QB (a rare occurrence in the NFL). Meanwhile, Burrow’s been vocal about how the team should spend its cap space.
The situation feels eerily similar to Carson Palmer’s Bengals exit. If the team stumbles this offseason and fails to lock in talent, Burrow’s frustration could hit a boiling point.
Still, the team needs to prove its willing to spend. For now, all eyes are on the Bengals’ next move.