Could Joe Burrow Actually Be on the Move? NFL Teams Eye Trade Limit Expansion Amid Superstar Buzz
There’s a quiet storm brewing in NFL front offices, and it’s centered around one of the league’s most valuable assets: Joe Burrow. According to a report from ESPN’s Adam Schefter, some teams are preparing to push the league to expand the current trade limit of three years’ worth of draft picks to five. And while no names were officially attached to this potential rule change, it’s not hard to connect the dots.
Let’s be real - when you’re talking about a franchise-altering quarterback who’s still in his prime, the list of players who could command such a haul is short. Burrow is at the top of it.
NFL Teams Eyeing NBA-Style Trade Flexibility
Schefter’s report suggests that at least one team will formally propose the change this offseason. The idea? Give teams more flexibility to go all-in on acquiring transcendent talent - the kind of move we’ve seen more commonly in the NBA than the NFL.
"There are gonna be people in the NFL, this offseason, that push to have that limit grown to five years," Schefter said. "There’s going to be a push by at least one team this offseason to extend the NFL trade limits from three years of picks to five years of picks."
That’s not just a minor tweak to the rulebook. That’s a seismic shift in how teams could build - or rebuild - their rosters. And if you’re wondering who might be worth such a move, just think of the last time a quarterback with elite traits and proven playoff pedigree was even rumored to be available.
Remember the Deshaun Watson Deal?
To understand the potential scope of a Joe Burrow trade, look no further than the Deshaun Watson saga. Despite serious off-field concerns, Watson drew a bidding war that ended with the Browns sending three first-round picks, two third-rounders, and a fourth to Houston. That’s for a quarterback who hadn’t played in over a year at the time.
Now imagine what the market would look like for Burrow - a former No. 1 overall pick, a Super Bowl starter, and a face-of-the-franchise type player with none of the off-field baggage. If teams were willing to fork over that much for Watson, it’s not a stretch to think someone would cough up five first-rounders - or more - for Burrow.
What’s the Bengals’ Play Here?
Cincinnati’s front office has a reputation for being cautious with spending, but they’ve also shown a willingness to build around their star quarterback. Burrow has said publicly he’s happy in Cincinnati, and there’s no indication the Bengals are shopping him. But that hasn’t stopped other teams from making calls.
NFL insider Ian Rapoport recently reported that teams are still expected to inquire about Burrow’s availability. While a trade remains unlikely, the mere existence of these conversations - combined with the push to expand trade limits - is enough to stir the pot.
And if Cincinnati were ever tempted to listen, the offers would have to be massive. Let’s take a look at three hypothetical trade packages that could at least make the Bengals think twice.
1. Raiders Go All-In: Burrow to Vegas, Maxx Crosby Stays Put
Bengals receive:
- 2026 No. 1 overall pick
- 2026 36th overall pick
- Four additional first-round picks
Raiders receive:
- QB Joe Burrow
The Raiders are in a position to make a splash. If they move on from Geno Smith, restructure Kolton Miller’s deal, and keep Maxx Crosby in the fold, they’d have over $100 million in cap space for 2026 - and nearly $190 million in 2027. That’s a dream scenario for attracting top-tier free agents.
Landing Burrow would immediately elevate the Raiders into AFC contention. And from the Bengals’ side, acquiring the projected No. 1 pick - likely Indiana star Fernando Mendoza - gives them a potential quarterback of the future. Add four more first-rounders, and Cincinnati could reset the roster while remaining competitive in the long term.
2. Jets Use Draft Capital to Land Their Next Broadway Joe
Bengals receive:
- Multiple first-round picks across 2026 and 2027
- Additional Day 2 selections
Jets receive:
- QB Joe Burrow
The Jets have been stockpiling picks - eight combined in the first two rounds of the next two drafts. That kind of draft capital opens the door to a blockbuster move, and if any team would swing big for a quarterback, it’s the Jets.
Burrow in New York would be a spectacle. The media buzz, the endorsement deals, the Broadway Joe comparisons - it’s tailor-made for a superstar.
But from a football standpoint, it’s also risky. The Jets have struggled to build a stable offensive line and have cycled through quarterbacks for years.
Burrow would give them credibility and a real shot at contention, but the Bengals would need assurances they could find his successor - possibly in the 2027 draft class, which could feature names like Arch Manning.
3. Vikings Hit Reset Button with Burrow, Move on from McCarthy
Bengals receive:
- Multiple first-round picks
- Potential young players
Vikings receive:
- QB Joe Burrow
Minnesota has been one of the teams most frequently linked to Burrow in recent speculation. Even after firing GM Kwesi Mensah-Adofo, the chatter hasn’t died down.
J.J. McCarthy still has upside, but if the Vikings have a chance to land Burrow, it could be worth moving on.
Especially after the sting of watching Sam Darnold - who they let walk - win a Super Bowl with Seattle. That’s the kind of regret that can push a team to make a bold move.
Pairing Burrow with Justin Jefferson and Jordan Addison would give Minnesota one of the most explosive offenses in the league. And with a new front office in place, the Vikings might be ready to make a statement.
Final Thoughts
There’s no official word that Joe Burrow is available. The Bengals have every reason to keep him - he’s their franchise cornerstone, a leader in the locker room, and a proven winner.
But in the NFL, everything has a price. And if the league opens the door to five years’ worth of tradable picks, that price could get astronomical.
Whether or not Cincinnati listens, the fact that teams are even preparing for the possibility tells you everything you need to know about Burrow’s value. He’s not just another quarterback - he’s the kind of player teams are willing to reshape their entire future to acquire.
And if this trade limit expansion becomes reality? Buckle up. The NFL offseason might start looking a lot more like the NBA’s.