NFL Week 17 Buzz: Burrow's Future, QB1 Shakeups, Jaguars' Rise, and Pro Bowl Fallout

The 2025 NFL season reaches its dramatic conclusion with two weeks remaining, bringing playoff implications, future roster questions, and heated debates about individual recognition to the forefront. Week 17 presents pivotal matchups that will define postseason seeding and potentially alter franchise trajectories. From quarterback controversies to emerging contenders, the league buzz centers on several key narratives that will shape the final stretch and the upcoming offseason.

Joe Burrow's Future with the Cincinnati Bengals

The football world was set abuzz by Joe Burrow's terse and seemingly frustrated press conference appearance a few weeks ago, sparking widespread speculation about his long-term commitment to the Cincinnati Bengals. According to league insiders, however, the situation may be less dramatic than initially perceived. Multiple sources indicate the Bengals have received no indication that Burrow wants to leave Cincinnati, with one team source attributing his demeanor to simply having a "bad day." The star quarterback remains under contract for four more seasons, making any trade scenario highly improbable from the franchise's perspective.

The core issue appears to be less about Burrow's desire to depart and more about the team's ability to build a competitive roster around him. Burrow has been vocal in the past about supporting contract extensions for key offensive weapons like Ja'Marr Chase, Tee Higgins, and Trey Hendrickson. The primary concern now shifts to the defensive side of the ball, which has struggled mightily this season. The Bengals' offense has performed well when Burrow is healthy, but the defense lacks sufficient talent to seriously contend in the competitive AFC North. The franchise faces pressure to improve defensive personnel through free agency and the draft to properly support their franchise quarterback.

Potential Quarterback Changes for the 2026 Season

The quarterback carousel is expected to spin vigorously once again this offseason, with insiders projecting approximately six new Week 1 starters for the 2026 season. Several teams find themselves at potential crossroads, including the New York Jets, Miami Dolphins, Cleveland Browns, Minnesota Vikings, Indianapolis Colts, Las Vegas Raiders, Arizona Cardinals, Atlanta Falcons, New Orleans Saints, and Pittsburgh Steelers.

The most complex situation resides in Miami, where the Dolphins must decide whether to pay Tua Tagovailoa $54 million to walk away or manage a staggering $99 million dead money hit if released. The Denver Broncos managed a similar situation with Russell Wilson's $80 million dead money charge, but they benefited from an elite defense and offensive line, plus a rookie quarterback in Bo Nix who could start immediately. Miami may not have those same supporting elements in place for 2026.

Another intriguing situation involves Baltimore Ravens quarterback Lamar Jackson, who has two years remaining on his contract at $51.25 million per year in base salary with no guaranteed money. His cap hit balloons to $74.5 million next season, forcing the Ravens to either extend him to reduce that number or explore trade options. Jackson possesses a no-trade clause, giving him significant control over any potential move. His performance this season has been below his typical MVP standards, and with the Ravens potentially missing the playoffs, contract negotiations become more complicated.

The Kansas City Chiefs also warrant monitoring as Patrick Mahomes recovers from a torn ACL. Even if Mahomes returns for the regular season, the team will need quarterbacks to operate their offseason program, potentially leading them to bring in a veteran who could start if Mahomes isn't ready or draft a developmental prospect.

The Jacksonville Jaguars' Legitimacy as Contenders

The Jacksonville Jaguars have emerged as one of the season's most surprising success stories, riding a six-game win streak into AFC 1-seed contention. First-year head coach Liam Coen has drawn significant praise around the league, with multiple executives and coaches mentioning him alongside Ben Johnson and Mike Vrabel as Coach of the Year candidates. Coen's impact on quarterback Trevor Lawrence has been particularly notable, with improvements in footwork, decisiveness, and overall command of the offense.

Jacksonville's success stems from a methodical approach that adapted throughout the season. Early on, with Lawrence still learning the new offense and key receivers like Brian Thomas Jr. finding their roles, the team leaned heavily on its running game behind Travis Etienne Jr. and a defense generating turnovers. The 4-1 start bought time for the offense to develop chemistry, leading to the current high-scoring stretch where the team averages 33 points since November.

The trade deadline acquisition of Jakobi Meyers, who recently signed a three-year, $60 million extension, has provided a significant boost to the receiving corps. Combined with Thomas, rookie Travis Hunter, tight end Brenton Strange, and Parker Washington, Jacksonville boasts a formidable pass-catching group. While some natural skepticism exists about how the Jaguars will perform in playoff games given their newcomer status as contenders, Lawrence does have a playoff win on his résumé, and the team's versatile offense and tough defensive front have captured the league's attention.

Pro Bowl Roster Reactions and Notable Omissions

The announcement of the 2026 Pro Bowl rosters generated immediate debate across the league, with several notable snubs and surprising inclusions drawing commentary from insiders and teams alike. The Philadelphia Eagles expressed particular frustration over the omission of defensive tackle Jordan Davis, who teammates and coaches consider their most dominant interior force this season, despite teammate Jalen Carter receiving the NFC nod at the position.

Green Bay Packers quarterback Jordan Love's absence raised eyebrows, as he ranks third in the NFL in QBR but was passed over for the NFC roster in favor of Sam Darnold, who ranks 12th in QBR and has more than twice as many interceptions. The cornerback position, always loaded with talent, saw several deserving young players miss out, including Pittsburgh's Joey Porter Jr. and Cincinnati's DJ Turner II, both 2023 second-round picks showing Pro Bowl potential.

Perhaps most surprisingly, the red-hot Jacksonville Jaguars secured only one Pro Bowl representative: long-snapper Ross Matiscik. Standout players like linebacker Josh Hines-Allen and Devin Lloyd, who has five interceptions, were overlooked despite their team's success. The selections also highlighted team performance disparities, with the Dallas Cowboys and Baltimore Ravens—both sporting losing records—landing five and six Pro Bowlers respectively.

Additional Week 17 Notes and Developments

Several other developments merit attention as Week 17 approaches. Green Bay Packers quarterback Jordan Love, despite remaining in the concussion protocol, was a limited participant in Tuesday's practice, indicating progress toward potential availability for Saturday's critical game against Baltimore. Backup Malik Willis, dealing with a shoulder injury, also practiced in a limited capacity, giving the Packers hope they might have at least one of their top two quarterbacks available.

Willis himself has become an intriguing free-agent prospect for the upcoming offseason. The 2022 third-round pick has developed under Matt LaFleur's coaching staff and performed well when filling in for Love, potentially positioning him as a starting candidate for quarterback-needy teams in 2026.

In coaching circles, Notre Dame's Marcus Freeman has emerged as a name of interest for several NFL teams with potential openings, including the New York Giants and Tennessee Titans. While Freeman has no NFL coaching experience, his success at the collegiate level has drawn preliminary research from multiple franchises, though some close to him believe he may prefer to remain in the college ranks.

As the regular season concludes, these storylines will continue to evolve, with Week 17 results potentially altering franchise directions, playoff landscapes, and individual legacies across the National Football League.