With the offseason officially here for the Cincinnati Bengals, it sounds like trade rumors surrounding Joe Burrow are about to heat up.
Before the Bengals wrapped up their 2025 regular season, Burrow talked about the team’s outlook heading into the offseason. He made it clear that changes need to happen in order for Cincinnati to return to the playoffs.
Advertisement
“We don’t want to be in the spot we are in now, so something’s got to change,” Burrow told reporters, via ESPN. “Whether it’s players we have continuing to improve and get better and play championship-caliber football or bringing in guys that will or whatever it may be. Obviously, something has to [change].”
Despite Burrow’s comments about making changes, Bengals head coach Zac Taylor plans on retaining his entire staff for the 2026 season, including defensive coordinator Al Golden.
Cincinnati Bengals quarterback Joe Burrow (9) looks back to the sideline before a goal line play in the first quarter of the NFL Week 17 game between the Cincinnati Bengals and the Arizona Cardinals at Paycor Stadium in Downtown Cincinnati on Sunday, Dec. 28, 2025. The Bengals led 23-7 at halftime.© Sam Greene/The Enquirer / USA TODAY NETWORK via Imagn Images.
Burrow hasn’t shared his thoughts on Cincinnati’s coaching staff. That being said, he posted a few photos on Instagram this Tuesday along with the caption: “2025 was…. Adversity.” His post also included the song “Good Life” from Kanye West.
Advertisement
The song that Burrow used for his Instagram post features these lyrics: “The good life, it feel like Atlanta. It feel like L.A., it feel like Miami It feel like N.Y.”
Unsurprisingly, this social media post from Burrow has sparked speculation about his future with the Bengals.
What would it take to get Burrow?
According to CBS Sports insider Jonathan Jones, the Bengals aren’t interested in trading away Burrow. If they were going to field calls, however, they’d want a “Ricky Williams-type” offer from teams.
Advertisement
The New Orleans Saints traded all of their picks in the 1999 NFL Draft as well as a few picks from the 2000 NFL Draft just so they can select Texas running back Ricky Williams.
If the Bengals are open to trading Burrow, the New York Jets would probably enter the sweepstakes for him. They currently own five first-round picks over the next two drafts.
For now though, Burrow remains the face of the franchise in Cincinnati.
This story was originally published by The Spun on Jan 7, 2026, where it first appeared in the NFL section. Add The Spun as a Preferred Source by clicking here.