The 2025 season was a tough pill to swallow for the Cincinnati Bengals. A 6-11 finish and an early-season injury to Joe Burrow all but derailed their playoff hopes before they really got started. Now, as the Bengals turn the page to 2026, the focus is squarely on how they regroup - and more importantly, how they build around their franchise quarterback.
Despite the speculation that swirled late in the year, at least one teammate is making it crystal clear: Joe Burrow isn’t going anywhere.
“Joe's not going anywhere,” said running back Chase Brown, shutting down the rumors with conviction. “I think that was totally blown out of proportion.
It was definitely a good talking point for people. … It gave the media a lot to talk about and probably made [Burrow's] Twitter notifications go off, but Joe's not going anywhere.”
Brown’s comments come in response to a wave of offseason noise that began back in December. That’s when Burrow, speaking candidly during a press conference, made some comments that raised eyebrows across the league.
“If I want to keep doing this, I have to have fun doing it. I have been through a lot.
And if it's not fun, then what am I doing it for?” Burrow said at the time.
Given the context - a lost season, another injury setback, and a team that looked out of sorts on both sides of the ball - it’s not surprising those words sparked concern. Some fans and analysts even floated comparisons to Andrew Luck’s early retirement or speculated about a potential trade demand.
But Burrow didn’t walk away. He stuck with the team through the end of the regular season, and his presence in the locker room never wavered.
The idea that he might be looking for a way out? That seems to have been more smoke than fire.
Still, the frustration was real. After Cincinnati missed the playoffs, Burrow didn’t sugarcoat the situation.
“We certainly are not where we need or want to be, not where I expect to be,” he said. “We have to figure it out.”
That’s the challenge now for the Bengals’ front office. They’ve got a generational talent under center - one who’s already proven he can take them deep into January.
But talent alone isn’t enough. The Bengals need to do a better job of protecting Burrow, both physically and structurally.
That means investing in the offensive line, retooling a defense that struggled to get stops, and surrounding their quarterback with enough playmakers to keep defenses honest.
This offseason is pivotal. Free agency and the draft offer opportunities to shore up key areas, and the Bengals can’t afford to miss.
Burrow has made it clear he wants to win - and win now. If Cincinnati can put the right pieces around him, there’s no reason they can’t bounce back in 2026 and reestablish themselves as contenders in a loaded AFC.
One thing’s for sure: Joe Burrow is still the face of this franchise. And according to his teammates, that’s not changing anytime soon.