New report casts serious doubt on Joe Burrow's future with Cincinnati Bengals

New report casts serious doubt on Joe Burrow's future with Cincinnati Bengals originally appeared on The Sporting News. Add The Sporting News as a Preferred Source by clicking here.

The Cincinnati Bengals have to hope he 2026 season goes well. Otherwise, it could cost them their star quarterback.

According to ESPN's Adam Schefter, 2026 could be a make-or-break campaign when it comes to Joe Burrow's future in Cincinnati.

The Bengals have missed the playoffs for three consecutive seasons. A fourth straight season outside of the postseason picture in the AFC could potentially cause Burrow to request, or even demand, a trade.

This internal organizational pressure was a major motivator in Cincinnati's decision to trade the No. 10 overall pick in the upcoming '26 draft to the New York Giants for three-time Pro Bowl nose tackle Dexter Lawrence.

From Schefter:

This is considered to be a hugely significant season for Joe Burrow and his future in Cincinnati. If the Bengals cannot turn it around, some have speculated about whether Burrow might wonder whether he is better off playing in another NFL city. The Bengals had to give Burrow and the franchise the best chance to win now. Lawrence does that, more than any player they could have picked at No. 10.

There has been speculation that Burrow could grow frustrated in Cincinnati, but this is probably the most concrete reporting about the situation to date.