This offseason, the Cincinnati Bengals have aimed to build a roster capable of getting Joe Burrow back into the playoffs.
Longtime NFL analyst Todd McShay already has an idea for what should happen if they fall short again.
During an episode
of “The Bill Simmons Podcast,” McShay said he would like to see Burrow eventually receive an opportunity elsewhere if Cincinnati cannot get back on track this season.“He’s just different. But this thing has eroded him, like physically, emotionally,” McShay said. “I kind of want to see him go somewhere else if this year isn’t, ‘Hey, we’re back in the playoffs, things are rolling.’”
McShay compared the possibility to Matthew Stafford’s departure from Detroit, which resulted in Stafford winning a Super Bowl during
his first season with the Los Angeles Rams.
“I wouldn’t mind seeing a Stafford-like situation,” McShay said. “It isn’t as dismal in Cincinnati. They obviously made the Super Bowl, but I want to see elite, special players wind up with opportunities where they can actually go and be themselves.”
The Bengals have missed the postseason for three consecutive years after reaching at least the AFC Championship Game in both 2021 and 2022.
A Burrow departure is speculative since he's signed through the 2029 season and has given no public indication that he wants to leave Cincinnati. The Bengals also made an aggressive effort to strengthen the roster this offseason, increasing the pressure to turn their recent postseason drought around.
At the moment, McShay’s scenario hinges on another disappointing season. And winning would make the conversation much easier for Cincinnati to dismiss.
This article originally appeared on Bengals Wire: Joe Burrow urged to leave Bengals if 2026 season falls short
