3 NFL Teams Joe Burrow Could Go To Next
Joe Burrow’s candid December 10 comments about feeling overwhelmed both on and off the field have sparked new questions about his future with the Cincinnati Bengals. After admitting that he is struggling to find joy in the game and facing pressure in every area of his life, national analysts began wondering whether a long term reset could eventually benefit the star quarterback. ESPN’s Dan Orlovsky added momentum to the discussion by naming three teams that should try to acquire Burrow if the Bengals season continues to trend downward. These three franchises offer clear opportunity and strong motivation to pursue a blockbuster move.
- Krishna Sagar
- 5 min read
Joe Burrow has always projected calm control in front of cameras which is why his December 10 comments landed with unusual force. Speaking to reporters the Cincinnati Bengals quarterback admitted the pressure he is facing extends far beyond football. “There is just a lot of things going on right now,” he said repeating the line moments later when asked to clarify. When pressed to explain whether this stress came from football or his personal life Burrow gave the most candid answer of his career. “All of the above.”
It was a rare public glimpse into how overwhelmed he feels after missing most of the season with a Grade 3 turf toe injury and watching the Bengals slide into a difficult position in the AFC standings. For the first time Burrow openly questioned the emotional strain that comes with his job. “If I want to keep doing this I have to have fun doing it,” he said. “If it is not fun then what am I doing it for.” Those words sounded less like frustration and more like a quarterback wrestling with deeper questions about longevity and purpose.
He tried shifting the focus back to football saying “All we can do is focus week to week and try to win games,” but even that carried the tone of someone searching for stability rather than confidence. “Nobody is thinking about the playoffs right now,” he added a sign of how far the Bengals have fallen from preseason expectations.
These unusually honest comments opened the door for national speculation about Burrow’s long term future. When ESPN’s Dan Orlovsky named three teams that should make aggressive trade offers for him the conversation moved from theoretical to serious league wide chatter.
1. 1. New York Jets
The New York Jets are the most realistic and best positioned destination if Burrow ever reached a point where he desired a fresh start. No team has more trade capital. The Jets own five first round picks across the next two drafts which gives them unmatched flexibility to craft an offer Cincinnati would have to consider. With the team growing impatient waiting for stability at quarterback and possessing a defense built to contend this is an organization ready for a franchise defining move.
Local New York media has already begun discussing what a Burrow led offense would look like with Garrett Wilson and Breece Hall forming a high powered young core. The Jets are a franchise that has not had true quarterback stability in years and see the next two seasons as a critical window.
From Burrow’s standpoint the Jets offer a massive market a win now roster and a front office willing to build entirely around him. It provides an opportunity to reset emotionally and professionally in an environment that embraces high expectations.
For the Bengals the Jets would provide the largest return in the league. If Cincinnati reached a difficult point with roster construction or Burrow’s long term satisfaction the Jets would be the only team capable of offering a complete rebuild package.
2. 2. Las Vegas Raiders
The Las Vegas Raiders present a different but still compelling opportunity. While they do not possess the Jets volume of draft picks they offer a franchise that is willing to reconstruct its offense to fit a veteran star quarterback. The Raiders are searching for stability after years of inconsistent quarterback play and would be aggressive in reshaping their roster into a Burrow friendly system.
Playing in Las Vegas also provides national attention and high profile matchups. Competing in Patrick Mahomes division guarantees two marquee games a year and elevates Burrow into one of the league’s most watched stages. The city embraces star power and would position him as the centerpiece of a new era.
For Burrow this is a cultural fresh start and an opportunity to regain control of a career that has felt burdened recently. The Raiders offer freedom to redefine identity without carrying the emotional history tied to the Bengals early years.
While Cincinnati would not receive Jets level compensation they would still gain valuable picks and young players. This scenario relies more on Burrow’s personal desire for reinvention than overwhelming trade value.
3. 3. Pittsburgh Steelers
The Pittsburgh Steelers are the most dramatic landing spot but also one of the most logical when considering organizational stability. Few franchises in the NFL offer a stronger structural foundation. The Steelers maintain consistent coaching philosophies build physical rosters and avoid chaos. For a quarterback battling emotional fatigue this type of stability could be appealing.
Adding Burrow instantly elevates Pittsburgh into a Super Bowl contender. Their defense is already among the league’s best and their young offensive players are waiting for a leader who can elevate their collective ceiling. The Steelers front office values long term success and Burrow fits their identity perfectly.
The obstacle is obvious. Would the Bengals ever trade a franchise quarterback to a division rival. In normal situations the answer is no. But if Burrow ever reached a point where he wanted control of his next chapter the Steelers offer one of the clearest paths to immediate winning.
Any trade between the two rivals would require enormous compensation involving multiple first round picks and premium talent. Even so the Steelers remain on Orlovsky’s list because of the undeniable fit and stability they can provide.