Back in 2020, the Cincinnati Bengals had the No. 1 overall pick in the NFL Draft-and they knew exactly what they wanted to do with it. Joe Burrow was their guy. And according to reports, not even a blockbuster offer could change their minds.
Before that draft kicked off, the Miami Dolphins reportedly tried to swing for the fences. Per league sources, Miami offered Cincinnati four first-round picks in exchange for the top selection and the chance to take Burrow.
That’s not a small offer-it’s the kind of package that usually demands serious consideration. But Cincinnati didn’t even flinch.
They shut it down immediately, not even engaging in talks.
Looking back now, it’s easy to see why.
Burrow, who just turned 29, was coming off one of the most dominant college football seasons we’ve seen. He led LSU to a national title and looked every bit the franchise quarterback.
The Bengals saw it, believed it, and committed to him fully. That conviction paid off quickly.
In just his second NFL season, Burrow led Cincinnati to the Super Bowl, where they came up just short in a 23-20 loss to the Rams.
Fast forward to the end of the 2025 season, and Burrow’s resume speaks for itself. While the Bengals are out of playoff contention this year, there’s no question about who their quarterback is.
The focus now shifts to surrounding him with the right pieces to make another deep run. With Burrow still in his prime, the window remains open-but the urgency is real.
On the flip side, things in Miami have taken a more uncertain turn. Tua Tagovailoa, who went fifth overall in that same 2020 draft, was once viewed as the franchise’s future. But the Dolphins have benched him in favor of rookie seventh-rounder Quinn Ewers-a move that signals a potential shift in direction at the game’s most important position.
It’s one of those “what if” scenarios that will linger. What if the Bengals had taken the deal?
What if Burrow had ended up in Miami instead of Cincinnati? Would the Dolphins have made a Super Bowl run?
Would the Bengals still be searching for their guy?
We’ll never know for sure. But what we do know is this: Cincinnati bet big on Joe Burrow, and they never looked back. And while both franchises are now facing very different quarterback realities, the Bengals’ decision to stick with their instincts in 2020 continues to define their identity today.