There is another possibility - one that was brought up for a vote on Jungle Noise, the Bengals board:
"What if Burrows pulls an Eli and refuses to play for Cinci?"
Firstly, some Bengals posters wouldn't blame him. But really, while he is from Ohio, would you want to play for Zac Taylor, Mike Brown and that organization?
And says I'm not playing for the Bengals? What should the Bengals do?
thebengalsboard.com
Its a valid point, its why winning these "meaningless" games as some put it IS so important. Zac Taylor has shown no ability to use the talent he does have, and oh boy does he have talent, on that squad to do anything other than fail tremendously.
Where as Flo and staff where set up to fail tremendously and yet might win 5 games?? Showing the ability to develop players build a culture and continuity is very important to free agents and incoming drafted players.
Burrow is a smart guy, he knows you pick #1 for a reason....that team sucks! No way around that. I think he is a baller so he will go to whomever takes him but if he did this saying this organization isnt going to get better and I will not be my best here. Who could blame him?
Right now if you look at the teams picking high up in the draft and you as Burrow who has very little say other than media presence of saying im not playing there, what do you see...
#1 Bengals - shitty HC aging offensive and defensive talent might lose AJ Green with no replacement (Boyd isnt a #1). No real draft capital, and middle of the road cap space and not a ton of flexibility. And Andy Dalton to work behind
#2 Giants - shittier HC, no real defense. Okay offensive weapons. Middle of the road cap, 4 picks in the first 3 round with 2 of them being 3rd round picks. And you know they will have to PAY a number of guys soon so the cap will get eaten up. Eli will be gone so he will start right away so no vet presence
#3 Redskins - NO HC, shitty offensive weapons, aging RB as #1 and a often injured RB at #2. Aging overpriced Defense. Disgruntled LT probably going to lose RG in FA, bottom 3rd in cap space and an owner who gives away bad contract like there is an award for it. No vet presence
#4 Dolphins - HC who has shown great ability (not a homer take, dozens of outlets have praised him) and staff who have developed and squeezed plenty of juice out of this group of players. 5 picks in the first 60 overall picks, tons of cap space and oh by the way offensive weapons like Parker, Gesicki, Williams, Ford, Hurns, Laird (FA or drafted RB) and a vet like Fitzpatrick who he is honestly a lot alike to learn from for the first year.
Seems like he could see Miami as a place where he could be great and great fast. None of these teams have good O lines but Miami is in the best position to flip that fast.
So yeah meaningless wins indeed....
