Bengals News After Mike Florio Gives Absurd Take On Joe Burrow, Cashius Howell Not Practicing

Mike Florio’s answer on Pardon My Take about whether Joe Burrow will be a Bengal in 2027 was one word: “TBD.”

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That’s quite a dramatic answer to a question that really doesn’t require much drama.

Joe Burrow is under contract with the Bengals through the 2029 season. So unless something changes dramatically between now and then, there is no mystery about where he is supposed to be playing in 2027. He is supposed to be in Cincinnati.

That’s what makes Florio’s answer so ridiculous.

If Florio has legitimate information that Burrow could be traded, wants out of Cincinnati, or has some other issue with the Bengals, then say it. That would be news. But simply responding “TBD” creates the impression that there is some major uncertainty surrounding Burrow’s future when, at this point, there really isn’t.

Of course, anything can happen in the NFL. Contracts get restructured. Players can request trades. Teams can make shocking decisions. Nobody can guarantee where a player will be three years from now.

But that applies to literally everyone.

Burrow is not a free agent after this season. The Bengals aren't facing a looming decision about whether to re-sign their franchise quarterback. They already made that decision when they gave him a massive contract extension.

And Cincinnati has continued to build around him.

So what exactly are we supposed to take from “TBD”?

It sounds less like reporting and more like Florio planting a flag in the ground without actually having to say anything.

If Burrow is traded in 2027, Florio can point back to the clip and say, “I told you it was TBD.” If Burrow is still in Cincinnati, nobody remembers the comment.

That’s a pretty convenient prediction.

There is nothing wrong with acknowledging that the future is unpredictable. But presenting Burrow’s 2027 status as some great mystery, when he is already under contract, is making a story out of absolutely nothing.

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