Total Pro Sports
Over the past week, Cincinnati Bengals quarterback Joe Burrow has left fans and prognosticators speculating on his future.
Speaking to reporters last Wednesday ahead of Sunday’s dejecting 24-0 shutout loss to the Baltimore Ravens, Joe Burrow left some people concerned about his well-being after he issued the following comments:
“If I want to keep doing this, I have to have fun doing this. I have been through a lot. If it’s not fun, then what am I doing it for? That is the mindset I am trying to bring to the table. There are just a lot of things going on right now. A lot of things going on.”
Speculation ramped up that Burrow was hinting at potential retirement or a trade request. A subsequent report stated that neither was on the table, and that Burrow simply made those comments as a fierce competitor who’s frustrated with losing.
During an appearance on the “Wake Up Barstool” podcast, Fox Sports analyst and former Pro Bowl tight end Greg Olsen offered a fascinating take on the Burrow situation (h/t Chris Franklin of NJ.com). Specifically, Olsen wonders if Burrow is warning the Bengals to bring in solutions. Or else:
“The thing about him is I do think he’s sending a message there, kind of in his own discreet, passive-aggressive way, saying, ‘Listen, if you guys don’t fix this and if we don’t make decisions around here that my performance can lead to actually winning games, then I’m not having fun here.’ I might have to look somewhere else. I might have to continue my career somewhere else…Hopefully somebody gets that message and starts making some things happen.”
.@gregolsen88 and @BarstoolGruden react to Joe Burrow's comments about wanting to have fun playing football again pic.twitter.com/w0sGKOmgoF
— Wake Up Barstool (@wakeupbarstool) December 15, 2025
At 4-10, the Bengals have been eliminated from playoff contention. They visit the Miami Dolphins on Sunday, then wrap up the season with home tilts vs. the Arizona Cardinals and Cleveland Browns.
The Bengals’ offensive line and defense have been awful during Joe Burrow’s six-year playing career. Addressing those two moves in the offseason would be a nice way of keeping the star quarterback happy. Of course, owner Mike Brown will have to do the unthinkable and actually commit to spending lavishly.
To sum up how much the Bengals have wasted Burrow’s prime? Just look at 2024. He led the league in passing yards and touchdowns. Ja’Marr Chase won the triple crown of receiving. Trey Hendrickson led the NFL in sacks. The Bengals still missed the playoffs.
Look at how many playoff games Tom Brady and Patrick Mahomes won despite lackluster outings from their standards. Burrow plays at an MVP level most games and has only reached the postseason twice in his career.
