Wilson Predicts Burrow Will Leave Bengals If Season Fails

Former NFL quarterback Russell Wilson sparked immediate controversy during his CBS broadcasting debut on Sunday, predicting that Cincinnati Bengals star Joe Burrow will leave the team if the 2026 season is unsuccessful. The comments, made on the NFL Today pregame show, directly contradicted Burrow's own public statements made just days earlier affirming his commitment to the franchise. Wilson, who recently retired and transitioned into a media role, praised Burrow's offseason mentality before delivering his bold take. "Listen, if it doesn't go well in Cincinnati this year, I'm just telling you right now Joe Burrow's gone. I think he wants to leave," Wilson said. He added that Burrow is "tired of losing" and speculated about which teams might need a quarterback. The prediction quickly drew backlash from fans on social media, who pointed out that Burrow had recently addressed trade rumors and shut them down. "I love it here. I love everything about this place, so we're going to make it work," Burrow told reporters. He also stated, "I'm here for the long haul. I'm not going anywhere." Burrow's contract situation further complicates any potential departure.