Joe Burrow’s future with the Cincinnati Bengals became a popular topic during the 2025 NFL season. The star quarterback. Back in December, he sounded like somebody tired of losing and seeing his team’s front office not do anything to change the situation.
MORE: Ja’Marr Chase makes his thoughts clear on Joe Burrow’s cryptic message
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Ever since that moment, his future has been subject to speculation. The former No. 1 overall pick would be a sought-after player if he asked out of Cincinnati, but that might not be happening right now.
However, TV personality and Bengals superfan Nick Lackey joined the “Fitz and Whit” podcast, where he said the team must do something big if it wants to keep Burrow on the roster.
“Unless something changes, and changes in a big way, I don’t think it’s a strong chance, ’cause I think he’s the kind of guy who is the ultimate competitor,” Lachey said. “And Whit, you told me this about him before. He wants to win. Period. I think he would love to win there. I think he would love to finish what he started there. We saw the cracks in the foundation a little bit this year, and he did a good job backpedaling out of it.
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“The guy wants to win, and if he doesn’t think it can happen there, then at some point he’s gonna get frustrated to the point of having to throw down an ultimatum.”
Cincinnati Bengals quarterback Joe Burrow (9) paces between plays in the second quarter of the NFL Week 18 game between the Cincinnati Bengals and the Cleveland Browns at Paycor Stadium in Downtown Cincinnati on Sunday, Jan. 4, 2026.
Joe Burrow didn’t have the best 2025 season, despite a promising 2-0 start. A toe injury limited him to eight games. He went 173 of 259 for 1,809 yards and 17 touchdowns. Once he returned, the Bengals were in a complex position and couldn’t challenge for a playoff spot.
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MORE: Ja’Marr Chase sends clear message to Bengals’ front office
Joe Burrow reportedly frustrated with the Bengals
Joe Burrow #9 of the Cincinnati Bengals
Joe Burrow #9 of the Cincinnati Bengals looks on from the sideline during the national anthem prior to an NFL football game against the Baltimore Ravens at M&T Bank Stadium on November 27, 2025 in Baltimore, Maryland. (Photo by Perry Knotts/Getty Images)
Back in December, The Athletic’s Dianna Russini reported that Burrow and the Bengals weren’t precisely on the best of terms.
“Does that mean he’s thrilled with everything inside the Bengals’ building? No. People close to him have made it clear that certain parts of the Bengals’ operation, with the smallest coaching and scouting staffs in the league, have previously frustrated him,” Russini wrote.
Ja’Marr Chase explained the front office knows what the team needs to be competitive again. Time will tell if they do what they need to make a splash in the AFC.
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