Dolphins' near-miss Burrow trade revealed

The Miami Dolphins made a significant attempt to acquire Joe Burrow in the 2020 NFL Draft, offering four first-round selections for the chance to select him first overall. However, the Cincinnati Bengals reportedly shut down this trade proposal before it could gain traction. At the time, the Dolphins possessed multiple first-round picks through their own selections and trades involving Minkah Fitzpatrick and Laremy Tunsil.

This news emerges during a turbulent period for the Dolphins, particularly for quarterback Tua Tagovailoa, who was recently benched. Tagovailoa's tenure with Miami is now uncertain, with the team reportedly willing to trade him in the upcoming offseason. Financial implications, including $54 million guaranteed in 2026 and a potential $99 million dead cap hit, complicate any move, though strategic timing like a post-June 1 cut could mitigate the financial burden.

Meanwhile, Joe Burrow continues to lead the Bengals, who, like the Dolphins, have been eliminated from playoff contention this season. Burrow, a Super Bowl and AFC Championship participant in his early career, is focused on team success. Tagovailoa, facing availability issues due to concussions and leading the NFL in interceptions this season, is at a career inflection point, with the Dolphins preparing to transition to rookie Quinn Ewers as their starting quarterback.