Bengals' Orlando Brown Jr. Addresses Joe Burrow Trade Rumors

Offensive tackle says Burrow loves being a Bengal, but winning is key to ending speculation.

Apr. 14, 2026 at 1:08pm

Got story updates? Submit your updates here. ›

A fragmented, geometric painting depicting a football player in motion, with sharp planes of orange, black, and white colors representing the Cincinnati Bengals' team colors, conceptually illustrating the uncertainty surrounding the team's star quarterback Joe Burrow.A cubist interpretation of the Bengals' quarterback Joe Burrow in action, as his future in Cincinnati remains a topic of speculation.Cincinnati Today

Cincinnati Bengals offensive tackle Orlando Brown Jr. addressed the recent trade rumors surrounding star quarterback Joe Burrow, stating that Burrow loves being a Bengal and the team, but emphasized that winning is key to ending the speculation about Burrow's future in Cincinnati.

Why it matters

Burrow's comments last December about needing to 'have fun [playing] again' sparked rumors that he could potentially request a trade if the Bengals miss the playoffs again. As the face of the franchise, Burrow's long-term future in Cincinnati is crucial for the team's success.

The details

Brown said he has not directly spoken to Burrow about the trade rumors, but believes Burrow is committed to the Bengals and the city of Cincinnati. However, Brown acknowledged that winning is key to ending the speculation, stating that if the Bengals make the playoffs and 'start putting ourselves in position to play in February, I think a lot of that kind of stuff would die down naturally.'

  • In December 2025, Burrow first mentioned needing 'to have fun [playing] again'.
  • Burrow suffered a toe injury in Week 2 of the 2025 season that kept him out until Week 13.
  • Burrow signed a 5-year, $275M contract extension with the Bengals in September 2023.

The players

Joe Burrow

The star quarterback of the Cincinnati Bengals, who has been the subject of trade rumors after comments he made last December about needing to 'have fun [playing] again'.

Orlando Brown Jr.

The offensive tackle for the Cincinnati Bengals who addressed the Burrow trade rumors, stating that Burrow loves being a Bengal and that winning is key to ending the speculation.

Got photos? Submit your photos here. ›

What they’re saying

“I think at the end of the day, Joe gives his all for the city, man, and he loves being a Bengal. He loves what he's doing for a living.”

— Orlando Brown Jr., Offensive Tackle, Cincinnati Bengals

“And, like I said, it all comes down to winning. When we get in the playoffs and start putting ourselves in position to play in February, I think a lot of that kind of stuff would die down naturally.”

— Orlando Brown Jr., Offensive Tackle, Cincinnati Bengals

What’s next

The Bengals will look to bounce back from a 6-11 season in 2025 and make the playoffs in 2026 to quiet any speculation about Burrow's future in Cincinnati.

The takeaway

This situation highlights the pressure on the Bengals to win and make the playoffs in order to keep their star quarterback Joe Burrow happy and committed to the team long-term. Burrow's comments last year raised concerns, but his teammates like Orlando Brown Jr. believe he is dedicated to the city and organization.