dailyloe.com – Radio host Dan Patrick says Joe Burrow forced the Cincinnati Bengals to trade for Dexter Lawrence. Patrick made the claim on a recent episode of his show. He cited a source for the information about the star quarterback’s influence.
Patrick said his source told him Burrow is calling the shots in Cincinnati. The source claimed Burrow gave management an ultimatum. He reportedly said the team must do something defensively or he would leave.
The Bengals traded the No. 10 pick in the NFL draft for Lawrence. The team had several reasons for making the major trade. Years of poor drafting and defensive struggles were key concerns.
The NFL draft board’s projection at pick No. 10 was another factor. How elite interior linemen like Chris Jones age also mattered. Keeping franchise quarterback Joe Burrow happy was widely seen as the biggest reason.
This is especially true given the franchise’s history with Carson Palmer. Patrick cited Burrow’s past support for keeping key players. He mentioned Burrow’s desire to retain Ja’Marr Chase and Tee Higgins.
Patrick also noted Burrow’s public support for Trey Hendrickson over the years. The report suggests Burrow is making direct demands. It implies the Lawrence trade resulted from this pressure.
The Bengals front office already knows the severity of its situation. The team understands its position with Burrow and the fanbase. An ultimatum may not have been necessary for action.
The Bengals were likely to reach this point naturally. They have followed this pattern quietly in the past. After failing to draft offensive linemen, they paid for Orlando Brown.
They are now doing the same after failing to replace Jessie Bates and DJ Reader. The philosophy is to let others develop talent, then pay via big contracts. Burrow is certainly applying pressure in some fashion.
The specific draft outlook at No. 10 influenced the decision. Dexter Lawrence’s unique status as a nose tackle also mattered. The Bengals may not have needed Burrow to demand a blockbuster move.
