After a frustrating 6-11 finish and a third-place spot in the AFC North, the Cincinnati Bengals are heading into the 2026 offseason with a clear mission: get back to winning football-and do it with Joe Burrow leading the charge.
Despite some late-season noise and speculation stirred up by Burrow’s comments, any chatter about the Bengals moving on from their franchise quarterback can be put to rest. According to NFL insider Ian Rapoport, Cincinnati isn’t even picking up the phone when it comes to trade calls for Burrow.
He’s the guy. Period.
And the Bengals are treating him like it.
“This is a trade topic. You're gonna see Joe Burrow's name pop up on the bottom of the screen.
Bengals fans, do not freak out,” Rapoport said on NFL GameDay. “I do not expect Joe Burrow to be traded.”
That’s the kind of clarity Bengals fans needed after a season that felt like a rollercoaster. Sure, there was some league-wide curiosity when Burrow expressed frustration late in the year, but it’s clear now that Cincinnati sees those comments less as a red flag and more as a wake-up call. The front office is taking Burrow’s words seriously-and using them as fuel to build a better roster around him.
And let’s be honest, the Bengals have work to do. Injuries, inconsistency, and defensive lapses all played a role in their disappointing campaign. But the organization seems locked in on turning things around, with a particular focus on the defensive side of the ball.
Don’t expect a full offensive overhaul-Burrow still has a strong supporting cast-but the defense is where the Bengals are expected to spend most of their offseason capital. That means bolstering a unit that struggled to get off the field and failed to generate consistent pressure or takeaways. If they can shore up that side of the ball, it’ll go a long way in helping Burrow and the offense stay in control of games.
As for Burrow himself, he’s made it clear he’s still committed to Cincinnati. Speaking during the Pro Bowl, he chalked up his earlier comments to a bad day-something we’ve all had, even if most of us aren’t behind a podium when it happens. He reiterated his appreciation for the city and the organization, signaling that there’s no lingering tension.
The Insiders on @NFLGameDay with @JudyBattista, @TomPelissero & @MikeGarafolo: Changes to replay assist are coming; #Dolphins likely to move on from Tua Tagovailoa, plus latest on Tyreek Hill; #Bengals plan to spend to support Burrow; No trade talks yet for #Eagles WR AJ Brown. pic.twitter.com/Nx39oIQWQx
— Ian Rapoport (@RapSheet) February 8, 2026
The Bengals know what they have in Burrow-a franchise cornerstone who’s already taken them to the Super Bowl once and has the poise and talent to do it again. Now it’s on the front office to give him the tools to make another deep run. With a renewed focus and a motivated quarterback, Cincinnati’s offseason is shaping up to be one of the more intriguing storylines to watch.