Could Joe Burrow Ever Wear Black and Gold? Dan Orlovsky’s Bold Steelers Hypothetical Sparks Conversation
On Monday, a comment from ESPN analyst Dan Orlovsky sent a jolt through NFL circles-one of those out-of-left-field takes that instantly grabs attention. His premise? The Pittsburgh Steelers should be actively brainstorming how to land Bengals star quarterback Joe Burrow.
Yes, that Joe Burrow. The face of the Cincinnati Bengals.
The franchise quarterback who led them to a Super Bowl appearance and has become the heart of one of the most competitive teams in the AFC. Orlovsky didn’t hedge, either.
He named names.
“It would shock me if three teams weren’t on the phone today after what he said yesterday, figuring out how do we make him part of our football team… Jets, Raiders, Steelers…”
The timing of the take wasn’t random. It came on the heels of a media session where Burrow sounded more introspective than we’ve heard in a while. He opened up about the mental and physical grind of the game-a rare moment of vulnerability from one of the league’s most composed young stars.
“If I want to keep doing this, I have to have fun doing it,” Burrow said. “I’ve been through a lot. If I’m not having fun, what am I doing it for?”
That’s not just a throwaway quote. It echoes the kind of internal reckoning that reminded many of Andrew Luck’s stunning retirement in 2019. Orlovsky drew that parallel directly, suggesting that if Cincinnati’s struggles persist, Burrow could start reevaluating his long-term future with the team.
Let’s be clear: **this is pure hypothetical territory. ** Burrow is under contract long-term, beloved in Cincinnati, and deeply embedded in the Bengals’ identity.
He’s not just a quarterback-he’s the centerpiece of everything the franchise has built over the last few years. The idea of him suiting up for a division rival feels almost sacrilegious.
But in the NFL, “unthinkable” has a short shelf life.
And for the Steelers, the idea-however far-fetched-hits a nerve.
Since Ben Roethlisberger hung it up, Pittsburgh has been in quarterback limbo. Kenny Pickett showed flashes but never quite seized the role.
Mason Rudolph has been a steady hand, but not a long-term answer. Russell Wilson brought veteran presence and credibility, but no one’s mistaking him for the future of the franchise.
The Steelers have talent. The defense is ferocious.
The skill positions are solid. The coaching is stable.
But the quarterback position? That’s been the missing piece, and it’s been glaring.
So when Orlovsky floated the idea of Burrow in Pittsburgh, it wasn’t just a hot take-it was a spark that lit up a conversation the Steelers fanbase has been quietly having for a while: What would this team look like with a true franchise quarterback under center again?
And let’s not ignore the elephant in the room: the AFC North rivalry. The idea of Burrow crossing the Ohio-Pennsylvania border to join the Steelers is borderline taboo. But rivalries don’t always stop blockbuster moves-especially if a player wants out.
Now, to be fair, there’s no indication Burrow is even remotely considering leaving. But the NFL has taught us not to dismiss these kinds of scenarios outright.
Quarterbacks forcing their way out of stable situations? It’s happened.
More than once. And if Burrow ever did start looking elsewhere, you can bet every quarterback-hungry team would be on the phone in seconds.
The Steelers would be one of them. They’d have to be.
Because a quarterback like Joe Burrow doesn’t just fill a need-he elevates an entire organization. He changes the timeline.
He shifts expectations. He turns playoff hopes into Super Bowl windows.
For now, this is all just talk. A bold idea floated on a Monday morning segment.
But Burrow’s comments about needing to “have fun” to keep playing? Those weren’t nothing.
And in today’s NFL, where player empowerment is at an all-time high, even the most entrenched stars aren’t immune to change.
So is Burrow-to-Pittsburgh likely? Not at all.
Is it worth talking about? Absolutely.
Because if the day ever comes when Burrow wants a new chapter, the Steelers would be foolish not to sprint to the front of the line. Until then, it’s just a wild "what if"-the kind that keeps the NFL conversation going long after the final whistle.