Report: ‘Sharks circling’ in NFL amid Joe Burrow trade speculation

Cincinnati Bengals signal-caller Joe Burrow hinted earlier this month that he’s pondered the possibility playing elsewhere at some point in his career, and since he made those comments, there’s been a whole lot of speculation about his future in Cincinnati.

While it’s of note that Burrow said he can’t picture a world where he’s not the Bengals’ quarterback in 2026, the latest from CBS Sports’ John Breech indicates that several teams around the league are expected to try to pursue the standout quarterback via trade in the offseason.

“Joe Burrow’s comments this December have several NFL sharks circling in the Cincinnati waters,” Breech wrote.

“Sources from multiple teams tell CBS Sports they anticipate several teams will attempt a pursuit of trading for Burrow in the offseason. This comes after weeks of Burrow voicing frustration with losing, despite saying he plans to remain in Cincinnati in 2026 and despite the Bengals showing no interest in dealing him.”

One anonymous front office executive postulated that most teams around the league would at least kick the tires on Burrow in a trade scenario.

“There are probably only a handful [of teams] that wouldn’t at least make an attempt,” said one NFC front office executive.

A source familiar with the Bengals and Burrow said every team should try to trade for the quarterback but specified that Cincinnati isn’t dealing him.

“They all should,” said the source. “But the Bengals aren’t dealing him, and he doesn’t want to leave.”

Breech added some more good info about the matter.

“Burrow said two weeks ago he wasn’t having any fun playing football and was frustrated by everything,” Breech wrote. “Sources explained then he was venting because he’s not winning after making yet another injury comeback, but that he is not contemplating retirement or moving on from Cincinnati.”

Burrow is amid perhaps his most trying NFL season since he was selected by the Bengals with the No. 1 overall pick in the 2020 NFL Draft. Not only did he sit out much of the 2025 campaign with a turf toe injury, but he’s in his first losing season since he was a rookie. The Bengals are just 5-10 with two games remaining in their campaign, and even if they win out, they’ll end up just 7-10.

But for all that’s gone wrong for Burrow in his sixth NFL season, he’s still an incredibly valuable asset and franchise talent. He isn’t far removed at all from being a top passer in the 2024 season, as he finished first in the NFL in completions, passing yards and passing touchdowns.

It simply doesn’t make sense for the Bengals to trade Burrow unless he demands out of Cincinnati, and considering he hasn’t done that, folks around the league shouldn’t anticipate that he will be moved come the offseason. Hopefully for the organization, he’ll continue to star for the Bengals for years to come.