Joe Burrow Trade Rumors, Scenarios Addressed by NFL Execs Ahead of Pivotal Bengals Season

Despite some speculation during the 2025 NFL season, Cincinnati Bengals star quarterback Joe Burrow is reportedly not being viewed as a realistic trade candidate within league circles.

According to ESPN's Jeremy Fowler, an anonymous AFC executive expressed significant doubt toward the idea of the Bengals dealing Burrow, saying, "I just don't see them ever moving him. I think all of the posturing on his end was to make sure they were doing what they could to make the team better around him. He's still too young and too good for them to move on."

An anonymous AFC scout also chimed in, saying, "If the Bengals have a good season, that will quiet the noise around Burrow. But even if they don't, I think the talk is just noise."

This past December, with the Bengals heading toward a third straight season outside the playoffs, Burrow made some eyebrow-raising comments.

While speaking to reporters, Burrow suggested that he wasn't having as much fun playing football as he once did, saying, "Do I have fun playing? I mean, how much? Winning's always fun, but in general, was it as fun as before? No, I wouldn't say it was that way."

Burrow went on to say he had "been through more than most," before adding, "Certainly not easy on the brain or body, so just trying to have fun doing it again."

The 29-year-old veteran also indicated that the way he was feeling had something to do with his personal life as well, saying, "There's just a lot of things going on right now."

Once the Bengals were officially eliminated from playoff contention last season, Burrow stressed the importance of making some changes moving forward, telling reporters, "We don't want to be in the spot we are in now, so something's got to change. 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]."

On the heels of Burrow's comments, the Bengals got aggressive during the offseason, acquiring three-time Pro Bowl defensive tackle Dexter Lawrence in a trade with the New York Giants.

Cincinnati also signed pass-rusher Boye Mafe, defensive tackle Jonathan Allen and safeties Bryan Cook and Kyle Dugger in hopes of improving a defense that ranked 31st in yards allowed and 30th in points allowed last season.

When Burrow and wide receivers Ja'Marr Chase and Tee Higgins are healthy, offense has rarely been an issue for the Bengals.

Keeping them healthy has been easier said than done, though, especially when it comes to Burrow.

Burrow was limited to eight games due to injury last season, and he played in only 10 games two years earlier.

The three-time Pro Bowler is widely regarded as a top-five quarterback in the league when he is on the field, though, and it seems highly unlikely that the Bengals would willingly move on from that type of talent.