It likely won’t happen, but if the Cincinnati Bengals did trade quarterback Joe Burrow this offseason, it just might go down as the biggest trade in NFL history — the league’s version of the NBA’s Luka Doncic-Anthony Davis blockbuster from early February.
Aside from a flat-out trade request from Burrow, the Bengals have no reason to even entertain such a move.
The Burrow trade rumblings began a few weeks ago when the Pro Bowler himself sparked speculation about his future when he stated if he wasn’t having fun playing then he didn’t know why he was even playing anymore.
Some took that to mean Burrow was thinking about retirement, some believed he was subtly hinting he wanted to be traded, and others were convinced he was sending a message to Cincinnati’s front office get him some better protection so he didn’t spend another season injured.
Burrow has been adamant he doesn’t want out of Cincinnati, and the Bengals have made it clear they have zero intention of trading him — but if they either side changed its mind, what would a team have to offer to make it worth Cincy’s while to trade its franchise star?
One anonymous NFL executive recently shared with Jonathan Jones of CBS Sports what the Bengals would likely be looking for in any trade package for Burrow.
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“Probably depends on if a team has a young QB or players to offer but imagine they won’t even answer the phone if you don’t have at least two first-round picks plus more,” an NFC front-office exec told Jones. “Maybe even three if you’re not doing it with any players involved.”
Adam Schefter recently reported the Miami Dolphins offered the Bengals four first-round picks after Burrow’s rookie year — a deal the Bengals turned down. Miami ultimately drafted Tua Tagovailoa not long after.
Jones also added context around the situation, claiming any team looking to acquire Burrow would likely have to go above and beyond the biggest QB trade in the last few years.
“The floor for any such deal would seemingly be the Deshaun Watson trade from 2022,” Jones added. “The Browns sent three first-round picks, two second rounders and one third to the Texans to acquire Watson (and a sixth-round pick).
“But even that wasn’t enough for one AFC team executive, who told CBS Sports a ‘Ricky Williams type’ of trade would have to transpire. That was when the Saints traded their entire 1999 draft, plus two future first-round picks, to Washington in order to move up seven spots and select the Texas running back.”
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Franchise quarterbacks aren’t traded often, but when they are, the acquiring teams typically pays a steep price.
The Denver Broncos sent two first-round picks, two second-round picks, QB Drew Lock, former first-round tight end Noah Fant, and defensive tackle Shelby Harris to the Seattle Seahawks for Russell Wilson back in 2022.
The Detroit Lions sent two first-round picks and Pro Bowl QB Jared Goff to the Los Angeles Rams for QB Matthew Stafford in 2021.
Any trade for Burrow would presumably cost even more, likely at least three or four first-round picks, a handful of Day 2 picks, and likely a competent QB replacement or a young roster player to build around.
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