Imagine having the chance to draft a quarterback who just delivered one of the most legendary college football seasons ever—and then letting him slip through your fingers. That’s exactly what happened in 2020 when the Miami Dolphins tried to pry the No. 1 overall pick from the Cincinnati Bengals. But here’s where it gets controversial: according to ESPN’s Adam Schefter, the Dolphins offered a staggering four first-round picks to secure Joe Burrow, the Heisman Trophy-winning phenom who had just led LSU to a national championship. The Bengals? They didn’t even entertain the conversation, shutting down the trade talks before they could begin. And this is the part most people miss: Burrow’s college stats were mind-boggling—5,671 passing yards and 60 touchdowns in a single season. No wonder the Bengals held tight.
Fast forward to today, and it’s clear why Cincinnati’s decision paid off. Despite battling injuries throughout his career, Burrow has proven himself as one of the NFL’s elite quarterbacks when healthy. In 2022, he led the Bengals to their first Super Bowl appearance since 1988—a moment that cemented his value. Sure, this season has been a struggle with just five games played, but Burrow’s potential for a 2026 comeback is undeniable.
Now, let’s talk about the Dolphins. After missing out on Burrow, they drafted Tua Tagovailoa fifth overall. But here’s the twist: Tua, once seen as a franchise savior, was benched this week despite being healthy. While he’s shown flashes of brilliance, consistency has been his Achilles’ heel. With three years and $54 million guaranteed left on his contract, Miami faces a tough offseason decision. Schefter reports the Dolphins are ‘prepared to move on,’ but cutting him would be costly, and trading him? Good luck finding a taker with his recent struggles and hefty price tag.
Here’s the million-dollar question: Did the Bengals make the right call by keeping Burrow, or should they have taken the Dolphins’ haul of picks? And for Miami, was drafting Tua a mistake, or is there still hope for a turnaround? Let’s debate—drop your thoughts in the comments!
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