Vikings Rumored Trade for Bengals’ Burrow Deemed Unlikely Despite Quarterback Questions

Despite finishing the 2025 season with a respectable 9-8 record, the Minnesota Vikings continue to face questions at quarterback heading into the offseason. This uncertainty has fueled speculation about potential moves, including a recently rumored blockbuster trade for Cincinnati Bengals quarterback Joe Burrow.

The Vikings navigated a tumultuous 2025 season with a quarterback carousel featuring J.J. McCarthy, Carson Wentz, and Max Brosmer. McCarthy, the team’s young prospect, showed improvement as the season progressed, finishing with a 6-4 record as a starter. However, much of the team’s success can be attributed to Brian Flores’ elite defense and a strong supporting cast of skill position players.

Industry analysts suggest the Vikings remain in win-now mode, prompting speculation that the organization might be unwilling to wait for McCarthy’s development. This competitive urgency reportedly led to discussions about pursuing Burrow, who has allegedly expressed diminishing enthusiasm for the game in recent months.

According to San Francisco 49ers SI beat writer Grant Cohn, a source “close to the Vikings” claims the team is preparing to offer a substantial package for Burrow: J.J. McCarthy, Pro Bowl edge rusher Jonathan Greenard, and multiple first-round draft picks. The report gained traction when shared by a Vikings fan account on social media platform X.

However, NFL insiders and observers quickly labeled the rumor as highly improbable. Several red flags surround the report, beginning with questions about why a 49ers beat writer would have exclusive information about Minnesota’s trade plans. The speculative nature of the claim has all the hallmarks of typical offseason rumor generation designed to drive engagement.

The fan reaction to the rumor has been overwhelmingly skeptical. One fan shared advice from the New Orleans Saints’ official social media account, warning: “Every day an aggregator account is going to try and rage bait you into thinking your team is going to do something they won’t do. It’s important you don’t take the bait.” Another fan mockingly compared the Bengals’ likely response to the alleged offer to a dismissive Family Guy scene.

The timing of such rumors is typical of the NFL offseason news cycle, when concrete information is scarce and speculation fills the void. For the Vikings, the quarterback question remains legitimate, but a trade of this magnitude seems far-fetched given the capital required and Cincinnati’s likely reluctance to part with their franchise quarterback.

While the prospect of Burrow reuniting with his former LSU teammate Justin Jefferson might excite Vikings fans, there is currently no substantive evidence suggesting Minnesota is seriously pursuing such a deal. The organization appears more likely to continue developing McCarthy, who showed promise down the stretch, while maintaining their competitive window with strategic additions elsewhere.

The Bengals, meanwhile, have given no public indication that Burrow is available via trade, despite reports of his supposed waning enthusiasm. Having invested heavily in Burrow as their franchise cornerstone, Cincinnati would likely require an unprecedented return to consider moving their star quarterback.

As one fan aptly summarized the situation: “You might as well post that you are going to pursue Scarlett Johansson, because either way it’s not gonna happen.”

For now, both teams appear set to enter the 2026 season with their current quarterback situations intact, regardless of the offseason rumor mill’s best efforts to suggest otherwise.