Russell Wilson believes the Cincinnati Bengals are in a race against time if they are to keep hold of Joe Burrow beyond the 2026 NFL season.
In his debut as an analyst for CBS Sports' NFL Today studio program coverage, Wilson claimed that if Cincinnati don't start winning games regularly, then Burrow will no longer be a Bengal.
"I've loved Joe's mentality this offseason," Wilson said on Sunday. "I was with him a few times in New York, and his presence, and just how focused he was - he just seems like he really wants to compete.
"I think he's tired of losing. He's said that few times. He's really focused on making sure that this is that special year.
"Listen, if it doesn't go well in Cincinnati this year, I'm just saying. I'm just telling you right now ... Joe Burrow's gone.
"I think he wants to leave. What's going to be interesting is, where does he go? There's some great teams that need a quarterback."
Burrow was drafted by the Bengals with the No. 1 overall pick in the 2020 NFL Draft after leading LSU to the National Championship in his senior year.
Since entering the league, Burrow has been hampered by various injury ailments, seeing him play just 77 games across six seasons.
However, the three-time Pro Bowler did lead the Bengals to Super Bowl LVI, where they suffered a 23-20 defeat to Matthew Stafford and the Los Angeles Rams in the 2021 season.
Since then, the Bengals have struggled to put victories in the win column - largely due to Burrow's absence - which has seen them miss the playoffs in three consecutive seasons.
After a 6-11 record in 2025, Cincinnati enter the 2026 season with a whole heap of pressure mounting on them - and that could also coming from within the organization too.
Burrow's five-year, $275 million contract - which makes him the sixth-highest QB in the NFL - runs through the 2029 season, with him having restructured that deal in June to free up $10 million in cap space.
Bengals have built around Burrow
The Bengals also handed huge multi-million dollar extensions to wide receiver duo Ja'Marr Chase and Tee Higgins back in March 2025, signalling the organization's intent to give their franchise quarterback the weapons to compete.
"This is the thing - they've got two of the most dynamic receivers in football. When you think about the top of the top, those two guys right there can make plays all day. I'm throwing the ball to Ja'Marr Chase any chance I get," Russell added.
Having committed so much money to their offense, Bengals head coach Zac Taylor may now be in a race against time to not only start stacking wins, but also to persuade Burrow that Cincinnati is the place to be for the long term.
In the offseason, they swung a trade with the New York Giants to land All-Pro nose tackle Dexter Lawrence to bolster up their defensive unit.
The eight-year veteran is a player who Wilson believes will be able to address a gaping hole in their defense, after they finished dead last in the NFL in rushing yards allowed per game with 147.1.
"The big thing is that with sexy Dexy [Dexter Lawrence] getting there on defense, that's somebody that can fill the gap for them, and I think that's going to help their run defense too."
The first challenge for Burrow and co is a home clash against Baker Mayfield and the Tampa Bay Buccaneers.
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