The Cincinnati Bengals hit it out of the park with Joe Burrow. Two years after he was drafted, that’s hard to miss. Apparently the Miami Dolphins wanted to stretch for the quarterback, too.

Munich – Within two years, the Cincinnati Bengals have gone from the worst team in the NFL to a Super Bowl contender. Only the AFC Championship Game at the Kansas City Chiefs stands between them and the biggest game ever.

This rapid rise is associated with one name in particular: Joe Burrow. It was the quarterback who was lured to Cincinnati by the Bengals with the 2020 First Overall Pick.

Rumours had been swirling around the talent show at the time that the Ohio franchise was looking to give up their pick.

Burrow: Dolphins interest apparent ahead of 2020 draft

As NFL insider Ian Rapoport now reports, that was apparently never an option. That’s because the Bengals would have wanted Burrow badly.

The same was reportedly true for the Miami Dolphins, who were allowed to select fifth, 18th and 30th two years ago, meaning they owned three first round picks.

Dolphins reportedly bid their three first round picks

Rapoport’s sources said the South Beach franchise would have even rung the Bengals. But they would have hung up quickly when it became clear what the reason for the call was.

They even said the Dolphins were willing to give up all three first-round picks. And possibly more. Ultimately, however, that remains speculation.

Dolphins boss was apparently in favour of trade for Burrow

“Fins” owner Stephen Ross had made a particularly strong case for a trade. So, however, Miami was ultimately allowed to draft at fifth and got Tua Tagovailoa. Since then, it has been discussed whether Justin Herbert, selected one pick later by the Los Angeles Chargers, would not have been the better option.

The Bengals could care less. They can feel vindicated if they really had no doubts about Burrow. Because the 2019 Heisman Trophy winner has quickly acclimatised to the NFL and bounced back all the more impressively this year after a serious knee injury in his rookie season.