The Cincinnati Bengals are in the midst of a stinker of a 2025. Surely, the words of Joe Burrow on Wednesday didn’t make it any easier for Bengals fans.
Joe Burrow’s press conferences as of late haven’t inspired much confidence in those wanting him to remain with the Bengals.
Earlier this month, Burrow asked the media “if I’m not having fun, what am I doing this for?” This sent a shockwave through the NFL, with many taking it as a clear sign that Burrow didn’t like it in Cincinnati anymore.
He later clarified these words, claiming that his comments “had nothing to do with Cincinnati“. Instead, he said they had “everything to do with me and my mindset and football.”
He was able to play clean-up a bit, cooling the temperature on his comments a bit. However, on Wednesday, the oven has been set to broil.
Joe Burrow Doesn’t Close Door on Leaving the Bengals
GettyBALTIMORE, MARYLAND – NOVEMBER 27: Joe Burrow #9 of the Cincinnati Bengals looks on after the game against the Baltimore Ravens at M&T Bank Stadium on November 27, 2025 in Baltimore, Maryland. (Photo by Patrick Smith/Getty Images)
First, it must be mentioned that Burrow did put the brakes on a bit about leaving the Bengals in the short-term.
Per NBC Sports‘ Josh Alper, Burrow stated that he sees himself playing in the NFL for a long time. He also stated that he can’t see himself anywhere except for Cincinnati in 2026.
While that sounds awesome for the 2026 Bengals, Burrow didn’t shut down the possibility that it could be different in 2027 and beyond. He stated the obvious that “crazy things can happen”, and that he has in fact considered options outside of Cincy.
This led to the headline that you will be seeing everywhere for the next couple of days.
“You think about a lot of things.”
The Bengals Aren’t Getting Any Relief From the QB’s Comments
GettyTee Higgins #5, Ja’Marr Chase #1, and Joe Burrow #9 of the Cincinnati Bengals.
Alpert summed up the rationale of the firestorm of a headline that Burrow unleased on the media:
“Burrow cited the Micah Parsons trade as an example of the kinds of crazy things that happen in the league and there are plenty of other examples of marquee players who moved on to other teams over the course of NFL history, so Burrow donning another uniform wouldn’t be out of left field by any means. For now, though, it looks like his near future is going to unfold with the Bengals.”
With every chance he has been given to say that he wants to remain a Bengal long-term, Burrow hasn’t taken it. Instead, he opts to take the route of not being able to tell the future and that the NFL is unpredictable.
Is he wrong? Absolutely not. The National Football League never sleeps and has constant twists and turns on and off of the field.
Still, hearing a player with the stature and importance of Joe Burrow opt for stating an easy obvious instead of committing to the team he leads remains very concerning.
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