Russell Wilson has come under fire from NFL fans after making a sensational claim about Joe Burrow’s future during his debut on CBS Sports on Sunday afternoon.

The nine-time Pro Bowl quarterback, who transitioned into broadcasting this season, raised eyebrows across the football world during pregame coverage on NFL Today.

Discussing Cincinnati, Wilson insisted that Burrow is growing weary of coming up short and could look to force an exit if the Bengals fail to contend this year.

‘I’ve loved Joe’s mentality during this offseason. I was with him a few times in New York. His presence, how focused he was… it seems like he really wants to compete.’ 

‘I think he’s tired of losing. He’s really focused on making sure that this is that special year.’

He continued: ‘Listen, if it doesn’t go well in Cincinnati this year, Joe Burrow is gone. I think he wants to leave. What’s going to be interesting is, where does he go?’

Russell Wilson has come under fire from NFL fans after making a sensational claim about Joe Burrow’s future during his debut on CBS Sports on Sunday afternoon

Quarterback Joe Burrow recently said he never had any plans to leave the Cincinnati Bengals

The bold take sparked backlash from fans on social media, with many pointing out that Burrow had pledged his long-term commitment to the Bengals just days earlier.

‘How much of an idiot do you have to be to say this STILL after Burrow just literally shot this dumb a s*** down like last week??’ one furious supporter posted on X. 

Last week, Burrow said he never had any plans to leave Cincinnati despite another offseason in which the future of the Bengals quarterback was called into question. 

Burrow, 29, has spent his entire NFL career in Cincinnati after being drafted first overall in 2020.

In his second season, he led the Bengals to Super Bowl LVI, where they were narrowly beaten by the Los Angeles Rams.

Cincinnati reached the AFC Championship game the following year but Burrow has not played in a playoff game since 2022, with the past few seasons dogged by injuries and disappointment.

Burrow signed a five-year, $275million contract in September 2023 but the Bengals’ struggles in recent years have sparked questions over whether he could head elsewhere.

On the eve of the 2026 season, however, the quarterback reassured supporters: ‘It was never a question in my mind.’

Ahead of the season, Burrow reassured supporters: ‘It was never a question in my mind’ 

He told FOX19: ‘That’s just how I feel. I am where my feet are and I try to attack every day with a championship mindset. And I love it here. I love everything about this place, so we’re going to make it work.’

The Bengals kick off the 2026 season against the Tampa Bay Buccaneers on Sunday, just days after Burrow committed his future to the franchise.

‘I mean what I say,’ he said earlier this week. ‘I’m here for the long haul. I’m not going anywhere.’

Currently Burrow is signed through the 2029 season, while his favorite receivers Tee Higgins and Ja’Marr Chase are locked up through 2029 and 2028, respectively.