The Cincinnati Bengals began the 2025 season on a high note, winning their first two games—a feat they hadn’t achieved since 2018. However, the momentum quickly faded after Week 2 when quarterback Joe Burrow suffered a turf toe injury and was placed on injured reserve. During his absence, the Bengals struggled, losing eight of the next nine games, and by the time Burrow returned, their chances of reaching the playoffs had dramatically declined.
Upon his return, Burrow faced challenges on the field, including a notable loss to the Buffalo Bills where the Bengals squandered a double-digit lead. Burrow threw two interceptions in the fourth quarter, contributing to the defeat. Afterward, he made comments about his mindset, saying,
If I want to keep doing this, I have to have fun doing it. I’ve been through a lot, and if it’s not fun, what am I doing it for? That’s the mindset I’m trying to bring to the table.
These remarks sparked widespread speculation about his future with Cincinnati, even though Burrow clarified they were not about the team.
Plans for Team Investment Following the Tough Season
During the Pro Bowl, Burrow reiterated that his earlier comments were not aimed at the Cincinnati Bengals and attributed them to having a bad day. NFL Network analyst Ian Rapoport suggested these words could motivate the team to invest more in support of their quarterback. He explained,
I do expect the Bengals to take his words and kind of use it to spur them on a little bit to really spend this offseason. I expect the Bengals to enhance and support everything Joe Burrow does.
The Bengals appear poised to focus spending on shoring up their defense. After finishing with the third-worst scoring defense in the NFL in 2025 and struggling similarly in 2024, improving this area is a priority. ESPN Bengals reporter Ben Baby remarked on social media,
Bengals will have plenty of cap space to be aggressive if they want to be.
There were earlier predictions that Cincinnati would pursue Pro Bowl pass rusher Joey Bosa in free agency. Nonetheless, indications are the Bengals aim for a more aggressive strategy to strengthen their defensive unit rather than simply signing a veteran approaching the later stage of his career.
Addressing Trade Rumors Around Joe Burrow
The quarterback’s remarks led to rumors about a possible trade, but insiders have downplayed these speculations. Ian Rapoport commented on trade chatter, stating,
I do not expect Joe Burrow to be traded. I do expect teams to call the Cincinnati Bengals after it appeared that Burrow expressed some discontent with Cincinnati late in the season. He is their franchise quarterback, not expected to go anywhere.
This view aligns with comments from within the Bengals organization. Running back Chase Brown addressed the rumors, saying,
Joe’s not going anywhere, I think that was totally blown out of proportion. It was definitely a good talking point for people. It gave the media a lot to talk about and probably made [Burrow’s] Twitter notifications go off, but Joe’s not going anywhere.
What Lies Ahead for Burrow and the Bengals
Despite the season’s setbacks and Burrow’s injury, the Bengals remain committed to building around their franchise quarterback. The team’s plans to allocate significant resources during the offseason, especially on defense, highlight their intention to emerge stronger. How this investment translates on the field will be critical as the Bengals aim to restore their competitiveness and secure a playoff spot moving forward. Burrow’s future in Cincinnati remains intact, but the pressure to improve results intensifies as the team looks to the next season.
The Insiders on @NFLGameDay with @JudyBattista, @TomPelissero & @MikeGarafolo: Changes to replay assist are coming; #Dolphins likely to move on from Tua Tagovailoa, plus latest on Tyreek Hill; #Bengals plan to spend to support Burrow; No trade talks yet for #Eagles WR AJ Brown. pic.twitter.com/Nx39oIQWQx
— Ian Rapoport (@RapSheet) February 8, 2026
Bengals will have plenty of cap space to be aggressive if they want to be https://t.co/gwrmYxz79P
— Ben Baby (@Ben_Baby) February 9, 2026
