Adam Schefter just kept the Joe Burrow trade dream alive for Jets fans

No one should be saying Joe Burrow will be the next New York Jets quarterback — let’s get that out of the way first. But when Adam Schefter, arguably the most plugged-in insider in football, doesn’t completely rule something out, fans are inevitably going to notice.

During a recent appearance on ESPN's "Get Up" on Thursday, Schefter mentioned how teams, specifically the Jets, are now stockpiling assets to prepare for unexpected opportunities. Schefter referred to it as an AFC East "arms race," also mentioning the Miami Dolphins.

Fellow analyst and noted Jets fan Mike Greenberg asked Schefter about the possibility of the Cincinnati Bengals' star quarterback somehow becoming available and a realistic option for the Jets, and Schefter didn’t exactly shut it down.

Instead of laughing it off or dismissing the idea entirely, Schefter acknowledged how unpredictable today’s NFL landscape has become and how teams like the Jets, now loaded with premium draft picks, are positioning themselves for any opportunity that might arise.

His response wasn’t confirmation by any means, but it also wasn’t a denial. That tiny sliver of ambiguity is all it might take for Jets fans to run wild with the idea.

The Jets' Joe Burrow trade fantasy is still a possibility

Schefter had every opportunity to shut down rumors that Burrow could be on his way out of Cincinnati, just as he has with unfounded rumors in the past. Instead, he simply reaffirmed how unpredictable the NFL can be.

The ESPN reporter specifically noted how the Jets will have all the ammunition in the world, five first-round picks over the next two years, to make a move if an opportunity presents itself. While co-host Dan Orlovsky refused to believe it was a possibility, shouting "no way," Schefter pushed back.

"We're just talking. How do you think Joe Burrow feels about the Bengals' defense and the offensive line that's protecting him? If [Burrow wants out], it's over."

Adam Schefter

Schefter's unexpected Burrow rant took the surprise of others on the panel, including former Bengals wide receiver Andrew Hawkins, who somewhat jokingly admitted he was a little "frightened" by the conversation.

Now, does this mean Burrow will be traded this offseason? Of course not. Schefter made it clear that we don't know how Burrow feels and if he has any desire to ask out. But the fact that the rumor wasn't immediately shot down and was even entertained is certainly eye-opening.

Many assume the Jets will turn toward the 2026 NFL Draft in search of their next quarterback, with the likes of Indiana's Fernando Mendoza, Oregon's Dante Moore, and Alabama's Ty Simpson expected to be in the mix for the No. 1 overall pick.

But the team's accumulation of high-level draft picks has presented them with another option. If a veteran quarterback shakes free or unexpectedly becomes available, the Jets will have every opportunity to pounce — and can likely outbid other teams.

Kyler Murray’s name has surfaced frequently in those conversations, and the Jets are expected to do their due diligence there. But if someone like Burrow were ever to become available, the Jets would undoubtedly do everything in their power to ensure they make the strongest possible offer.

Perhaps it’s a pipedream. Perhaps it’s little more than midseason chatter. But sometimes, where there’s smoke, there’s fire. And with the way the NFL works, you just never know. The Joe Burrow dream isn't dead yet.