Could Joe Burrow Really End Up in Silver and Black? Here’s Why the Raiders Might Be Dreaming Big
The Las Vegas Raiders tried to recapture some old Seattle magic this season, hiring Pete Carroll and trading for Geno Smith in what looked like a bold, if unconventional, reset. But so far, the reunion tour hasn’t exactly been a hit. The Raiders are spiraling toward the bottom of the standings, and with each passing week, the possibility of holding the No. 1 overall pick in next year’s draft becomes more real.
And that’s where things get interesting.
Because while most teams in that position would be eyeing a top quarterback prospect, there's a growing buzz around a much bigger swing: Joe Burrow.
Yes, that Joe Burrow.
The Cincinnati Bengals' franchise quarterback. The guy with a Super Bowl appearance under his belt.
The face of the franchise. The man who, not long ago, signed the richest contract in Bengals history.
But according to ESPN’s Dan Orlovsky, the relationship between Burrow and the Bengals may be heading toward a breaking point - and he’s already naming potential landing spots. The Jets.
The Vikings. The Steelers.
And yes, the Raiders.
“It’s the beginning of the end for Joe Burrow in Cincinnati. The organization has absolutely failed him,” Orlovsky said on ESPN’s Get Up.
“If I’m the Jets, if I’m the Raiders, if I’m the Vikings, if I’m the Steelers, I am figuring out a way… How do we get Joe Burrow? Because he obviously no longer wants to be in Cincinnati.”
That’s a bold statement - and one that’s sure to send shockwaves across the league, especially in places like Denver, where the idea of Burrow landing in the AFC West is nightmare fuel.
Now, let’s pump the brakes for a second. This isn’t a report that Burrow is being traded. But it’s not coming out of nowhere, either.
Burrow’s recent comments have raised eyebrows. He’s been open about his frustrations, particularly when it comes to the emotional toll of the game and the need to find joy in the grind.
“If I want to keep doing this, I have to have fun doing it,” Burrow said. “I’ve been through a lot, and if it’s not fun, then what am I doing it for?”
That’s not your typical QB1 soundbite. That’s a player speaking from a place of wear and tear - physically, emotionally, and maybe even spiritually. And while no one’s questioning Burrow’s competitiveness or love for the game, it’s clear something’s off in Cincinnati.
Which brings us back to the Raiders.
Las Vegas has one of the clearest quarterback needs in the league going forward. Geno Smith was a stopgap, not a long-term answer. And with a high draft pick likely in their pocket - possibly the highest - they’re going to be linked to every major quarterback move this offseason.
Now imagine a world where the Bengals are open to listening. What would it take?
Start with the No. 1 overall pick. Add in Maxx Crosby - a cornerstone pass rusher and locker room leader.
Then throw in at least a couple more premium picks. That’s the kind of blockbuster package it would take to even get Cincinnati to pick up the phone.
And even then, it might not be enough.
Still, the idea of Burrow in silver and black is tantalizing. He’s got the swagger, the arm, and the leadership to be the face of a franchise that’s always craved a star under center. And pairing him with Pete Carroll, assuming Carroll sticks around, would be a fascinating blend of old-school coaching and modern quarterback play.
Of course, this is all hypothetical - and probably a long shot. But in a league where quarterback movement is more fluid than ever, nothing is truly off the table.
For now, it’s just a what-if. But if you’re a fan in Denver or Kansas City or anywhere else in the AFC West, it’s a what-if that’s hard to ignore.
Because if the Raiders somehow pull this off?
The entire landscape of the division - and maybe the league - changes overnight.