Way back in 2022, a report confirmed that the Cincinnati Bengals had effectively scoffed at major trade offers from the Miami Dolphins and others while locked in on Joe Burrow at first overall.
ESPN’s Adam Schefter brought that report back to life roughly four years later on Sunday while tying it to those Dolphins benching Tua Tagovailoa, the guy they settled for in that draft, before Week 16.
Reviving a dead horse or not, Schefter’s writeup on the matter added this note:
“The hope is next season they will, but next season also now looms large because if the Bengals can’t turn it around, the questions that Burrow faced these past two weeks, and the issues that have arisen, will only be accentuated — meaning there is a lot on the line in 2026 for the Bengals, Burrow and their future together.”
There’s one solid way to translate this: Joe Burrow’s pressure on the Bengals front office is taking shape in the national media.
And Schefter’s commentary isn’t the only example from over the weekend.
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While chatting all things Burrow and the Bengals, NFL Network’s Ian Rapoport said that “Burrow’s mindset stems from belief he has to play perfect to win.”
From @NFLGameDay Morning: The #Chiefs play their first game without Patrick Mahomes today; Plus, making sense of #Bengals QB Joe Burrow’s comments this week. pic.twitter.com/6NfwRgGwfW
— Ian Rapoport (@RapSheet) December 21, 2025
Rapoport added this notable point: “His comments were a message to the front office and ownership to be aggressive this offseason.”
While much has been made of Burrow’s comments over the last few weeks, we initially outlined some of Burrow’s messages to the front office within his words. It’s an idea gaining traction nationally.
And if the national side is picking up on it and amplifying it to fans who will respond by pulling back from the team if they don’t see improvement, which means affecting dollars, the Bengals will feel that pressure, sooner or later.
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This article originally appeared on Bengals Wire: Joe Burrow’s message, pressure on Bengals picking up steam
