Joe Burrow’s 2024 season with the Cincinnati Bengals was a rollercoaster ride. Following a slow start to the season, the Bengals finished with a disappointing 9-8 record, missing the playoffs.
Burrow, however, shone brightly, earning the 2024 AP NFL Comeback Player of the Year award after overcoming a wrist injury that had prematurely ended his 2023 season.
He led the league with 4,918 passing yards and 43 touchdowns, showcasing his resilience and talent.
Burrow has been vocal about the Bengals’ need to retain key players, particularly wide receivers Tee Higgins and Ja’Marr Chase.
In several interviews, he emphasized their importance to the team’s success and even mentioned the possibility of a contract restructuring to keep them on the roster. His commitment to the team’s future is evident, but it has also sparked speculation about his long-term plans.
Recently, sports analyst Colin Cowherd suggested that Burrow might request a trade if the Bengals fail to meet his expectations regarding team improvements.
“Philadelphia has a GM, Howie Roseman, and two assistant GMs,” Cowherd said Thursday. “The Bengals don’t even have a GM. They have the son of the owner is the VP of personnel and then Duke Tobin is the director of personnel.
“They don’t have a real GM. Eagles have like one of the best, if not the best, and two assistant GMs. Eagles have 21 scouts on their website, we looked. Bengals have four. So Joe Burrow, to some degree, is trapped.
“Think about this, I’ll say this. I absolutely think at some point he’ll demand to be traded. I really believe that. It’s very hard to miss the playoffs when you have a great quarterback.”
“One team that happened this year: Cincinnati. It’s virtually impossible. Forty percent of the league goes to the playoffs. If you have a great quarterback in a quarterback league, you’re going to the playoffs. So the Bengals had the quarterback that led the NFL in passing touchdowns and passing yards.
“They had the pass rusher that led the NFL in sacks. They had the receiver that led in catches, yards and touchdowns. And they missed the playoffs. … (Burrow)’s not being cranky. He’s saying, guys, I’m watching Philadelphia’s roster. I’m watching San Francisco, Detroit’s roster. Pay.”
"I absolutely think at some point, he'll demand to be traded. I really believe that." Colin Cowherd on Joe Burrow and the Cincinnati Bengals pic.twitter.com/ttFYLGYgyP
— Awful Announcing (@awfulannouncing) February 13, 2025
Cowherd believes that Burrow’s frustration with the team’s direction could lead him to seek opportunities elsewhere, despite his strong ties to Cincinnati.
