New reporting reveals the Miami Dolphins made a desperate, franchise-altering offer of four first-round picks to the Cincinnati Bengals for the right to draft Joe Burrow in 2020—a trade that, if accepted, would have completely rewritten the past five years of NFL history.
The NFL landscape of the last half-decade nearly looked radically different. A bombshell report from ESPN’s Adam Schefter has revealed that the Miami Dolphins presented the Cincinnati Bengals with an offer of four first-round draft picks for the No. 1 overall selection in the 2020 NFL Draft—a pick Cincinnati used to select quarterback Joe Burrow.
This historic offer, immediately declined by the Bengals, represents one of the most audacious and consequential near-misses in modern NFL draft lore. It underscores the universal valuation of a franchise-altering quarterback and forces a re-examination of the divergent paths taken by both franchises since.
The Stakes of the 2020 Draft and Burrow’s Meteoric Rise
Joe Burrow was coming off arguably the greatest single season by a college quarterback in history at LSU, culminating in a national championship. His combination of accuracy, poise, and leadership made him the undisputed top prospect.
For the Bengals, a franchise long mired in mediocrity, selecting Burrow was a non-negotiable moment of rebirth. The idea of trading away the chance to select a potential savior, even for a king’s ransom, was a risk they were unwilling to take. Cincinnati’s faith was rewarded almost immediately.
- 2021 Season: Burrow led the Bengals to a surprise AFC Championship and a Super Bowl LVI appearance in just his second year.
- Elite Status: He has established himself as a top-tier NFL quarterback, known for his elite processing and clutch performances.
- Franchise Anchor: He signed a massive five-year, $275 million contract extension, making him the cornerstone of the Bengals for the foreseeable future.
The Bengals’ decision to hold firm was vindicated. They got their man, and he delivered a conference title.
Miami’s Alternate Reality and the “What If”
The Dolphins, under the direction of General Manager Chris Grier, were in the midst of a massive organizational teardown. They entered the 2020 draft with a treasure trove of picks, including three first-round selections, accumulated through previous trades.
Their aggressive offer for the No. 1 pick was a clear signal of their desperation to find a definitive answer at football’s most important position. Had the Bengals accepted, the ramifications would have been seismic:
- Miami’s Immediate Future: Burrow would have instantly accelerated the Dolphins’ rebuild, likely making them a playoff contender years earlier.
- Lost Draft Capital: Surrendering four first-round picks would have severely hampered Miami’s ability to build a complete roster around a quarterback on a rookie contract.
- Tua Tagovailoa’s Path: Miami ultimately selected Tua Tagovailoa with the fifth overall pick. This alternate timeline erases his entire tenure with the Dolphins.
Instead of Burrow, Miami continued its plan, selecting Tua and using its other assets to build a roster. While Tua has developed into a Pro Bowl quarterback, the team has faced perennial questions about whether he is the elite talent capable of winning a championship—a question that would not have existed with Burrow.
The Ripple Effects Across the League
This non-trade didn’t just affect the Dolphins and Bengals; it sent shockwaves through the entire league landscape.
The Kansas City Chiefs’ AFC rival would have been fundamentally different. The Buffalo Bills’ primary competition in the AFC East would have been transformed. The careers of every player selected with the picks Miami would have traded away would have taken different paths.
This report also resets the market for a top quarterback prospect. While the San Francisco 49ers traded three first-round picks to move up for Trey Lance in 2021, Miami’s offer of four first-rounders sets a new, almost unimaginable benchmark for what a team is willing to pay for a player they believe is a surefire superstar.
A Lasting Legacy of a Deal That Never Happened
Five years later, this revelation is more than a fun piece of trivia; it’s a critical lesson in NFL team-building. It highlights the immense value of a true franchise quarterback and the near-universal belief that if you have a chance to get one, no price is too high.
For the Bengals, it confirms the wisdom of their conviction. For the Dolphins, it will forever be the one that got away—a monumental “what if” that defines an era. For the NFL, it’s a stark reminder that the history of the league is often written by the deals that were almost made.
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