Joe Burrow Trade Talks Between Dolphins, Bengals Before 2020 Draft Revealed by Insider

The Miami Dolphins reportedly put in a strong offer for the No. 1 overall draft pick in 2020.

Per ESPN's Adam Schefter, the Dolphins offered the Cincinnati Bengals four first-round picks for the top pick in 2020, which they would have used to draft quarterback Joe Burrow.

According to Schefter, Cincinnati "declined to even engage in discussions and shut down the trade inquiry before it could gain any traction." The Bengals went on to select Burrow first overall.

The Dolphins' massive offer—and the Bengals immediate rejection of it—isn't a surprise given Burrow's play in college. In 2019, Burrow put together one of the greatest college football seasons of all time, throwing for 5,671 yards and 60 touchdowns on the way to a Heisman Trophy and a national championship at LSU.

Safe to say, it was going to take a lot for the Bengals to part ways with the No. 1 pick in 2020.

And the decision to hold onto that pick has been a good one. Though Burrow's career has largely been marred by injuries, he's one of the best quarterbacks in the league when healthy and led Cincinnati to its first Super Bowl appearance since 1988 in 2022.

Burrow has played just five games this year as the Bengals head towards another playoff absence, but he'll look to put together a bounce-back season in 2026.

The Dolphins, meanwhile, have their own quarterback troubles.

Tua Tagovailoa, who Miami drafted fifth overall after missing out on Burrow, was benched this week despite being healthy. He's been the team's starter since his rookie season.

At some points in his career, Tagovailoa has looked like a top-tier quarterback, but that version of himself is few and far between. Now, the Dolphins have an offseason decision to make about Tagovailoa, who has three years and $54 million guaranteed remaining on his contract.

According to Schefter, Miami is "prepared to move on from" Tagovailoa over the offseason. Cutting him would leave them in a bind financially, but it's hard to imagine he will have much trade value given his recent struggles and pricey contract.