Bengals' Future Hinges on 'Hugely Significant Season' for Joe Burrow

NFL insider Adam Schefter says Burrow's tenure in Cincinnati could be in jeopardy if the team fails to turn things around in 2026.

Apr. 20, 2026 at 3:07pm

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A fragmented, geometric painting depicting a football game or match, with players and the field of play broken down into sharp, overlapping shapes and planes, conveying the intensity and competitive spirit of the sport.A cubist interpretation of the high-stakes battle between quarterback Joe Burrow and the Bengals' future in Cincinnati.Cincinnati Today

The 2026 NFL season will be a pivotal one for Cincinnati Bengals quarterback Joe Burrow and his future with the organization, according to ESPN's Adam Schefter. After making a Super Bowl appearance in 2021, the Bengals have struggled with inconsistent seasons, leading to speculation that Burrow may consider playing elsewhere if the team cannot turn things around. The Bengals recently traded the 10th overall pick to acquire defensive lineman Dexter Lawrence, a move Schefter says is aimed at giving Burrow and the franchise the best chance to win now.

Why it matters

Burrow is one of the league's top young quarterbacks, but his career has been hampered by injuries, including a significant knee injury as a rookie and more recent wrist and turf toe issues. The Bengals are hoping that by bolstering the roster around Burrow, they can return to being a contender in the AFC and keep their star QB in Cincinnati long-term.

The details

After reaching the Super Bowl in the 2021 season, the Bengals have seen their fortunes decline, posting records of 12-4, 9-8, 9-8, and 6-11 over the past four years. Burrow's impact score on PFSN's NFL Quarterback Impact Metric has ranged from a high of 85.6 in 2021 to 80.1 last season, when he ranked 10th in the league. The Bengals' recent trade for defensive lineman Dexter Lawrence is seen as an effort to give Burrow and the team the best chance to win now and avoid another disappointing season that could jeopardize Burrow's future in Cincinnati.

  • The Bengals reached the Super Bowl in the 2021 season.
  • In the 2023 and 2024 seasons, the Bengals went 9-8.
  • In the 2025 season, the Bengals went 6-11.
  • The Bengals recently traded the 10th overall pick in the 2026 NFL Draft to the New York Giants for defensive lineman Dexter Lawrence.

The players

Joe Burrow

The Cincinnati Bengals' starting quarterback, who has made a Pro Bowl and led the team to a Super Bowl appearance, but has also dealt with significant injuries during his career.

Dexter Lawrence

A defensive lineman acquired by the Bengals in a trade with the New York Giants, as the team looks to bolster the roster around Burrow.

Adam Schefter

An ESPN NFL insider who reported on the Bengals' trade for Lawrence and the importance of the 2026 season for Burrow's future in Cincinnati.

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What they’re saying

“This is considered to be a hugely significant season for Joe Burrow and his future in Cincinnati. If the Bengals cannot turn it around, some have speculated about whether Burrow might wonder whether he is better off playing in another NFL city. The Bengals had to give Burrow and the franchise the best chance to win now. Lawrence does that, more than any player they could have picked at No. 10.”

— Adam Schefter, ESPN NFL Insider

What’s next

The Bengals will look to rebound in the 2026 season and prove they can be a contender in the AFC, which could determine whether Burrow remains with the organization long-term.

The takeaway

Joe Burrow's future with the Cincinnati Bengals hangs in the balance, as the team's struggles over the past few seasons have raised questions about whether the star quarterback might consider playing elsewhere if the Bengals cannot turn things around in 2026. The team's recent trade for defensive lineman Dexter Lawrence is an effort to give Burrow and the franchise the best chance to win now and avoid another disappointing season.