It turns out the Cincinnati Bengals won't be doing the unthinkable.
In a world where we've seen teams move off superstars like Luka Doncic and Micah Parsons, sometimes everything seems possible. But according to the latest reports, Cincy has no designs to field calls on quarterback Joe Burrow.
Burrow missed nearly half the season with a turf toe injury just one year removed from leading the NFL in yards, completions and touchdowns.
As the injuries mount though, some have wondered if it's time for the Bengals to keep their options open at QB if a team is willing to sell the farm on acquiring the three-time Pro Bowler.
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Bengals won't entertain offers for Joe Burrow
According to the NFL Network's Ian Rapoport, Cincinnati has no interest in a Joe Burrow-centered trade and won't
"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 at the end of the season. They are the Bengals, he is their franchise quarterback, not expected to go anywhere," Rapoport shared on Sunday's Super Bowl episode of "The Insiders."
"Talking during the Pro Bowl, he likes Cincinnati... but I expect the Bengals to enhance and support everything Joe Burrow does to spend probably more on the defense than anything else."
Ja'Marr Chase, Tee Higgins shutdown Burrow trade rumors
Appearing with Kay Adams in the lead-up to Super Bowl 60, Burrow's star receivers Ja'Marr Chase and Tee Higgins were asked about the potential of Joe being shipped off to a team like the Minnesota Vikings who reportedly are expected to do "everything possible" to make acquire him this offseason.
"I'm hearing some trade rumors about Joe Burrow to the Vikings. Have you guys heard that? We want to shut that down?" Adams asked the QB's top targets. To which Chase and Higgins laughed and said "No dice, no dice."
The Bengals have missed the playoffs in each of the last three seasons after reaching the conference championship game in 2022 — and the Super Bowl the year prior.
This year Cincinnati finished 30th and 31st in defensive points and yards allowed, respectively.