The Cincinnati Bengals are looking to bounce back this season after narrowly missing the playoffs last year, despite a slow start. The team made a late push but fell short. Now, the Bengals are facing key decisions this offseason, including what to do with star pass rusher Trey Hendrickson, who has been given permission to seek a trade.
Franchise quarterback Joe Burrow is expected to have another strong year, but if the team continues to struggle, Colin Cowherd believes the former national champion could eventually request a trade. While Burrow played well last season, the Bengals' defense struggled.
"I absolutely think at some point, he'll demand to be traded. I really believe that," Cowherd said. "It’s very hard to miss the playoffs when you have a great quarterback… So the Bengals had the quarterback who led the NFL in passing touchdowns and passing yards, and they missed the playoffs."
Off the field, Burrow is gaining attention for his rumored relationship with model Olivia Ponton, who has worked for him for about a year. Ponton was the one who called authorities during a break-in at Burrow’s house during the regular season, though the two were not dating at the time.
"Someone broke into my house," Ponton said. "It’s like completely messed up."
Ponton has declined to confirm if the two are a couple. It’s possible Burrow and Ponton want to keep their relationship private. Still, they were recently seen getting out of the same car at a Miami restaurant, fueling speculation.
𝗧𝗥𝗘𝗡𝗗𝗜𝗡𝗚: Bengals star QB Joe Burrow has gone viral for arriving at a restaurant in Miami with models Olivia Ponton and Sommer Ray 👀 pic.twitter.com/YxJczwGs8R
— Dov Kleiman (@NFL_DovKleiman) May 8, 2025
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While several people exited the vehicle, the timing raised eyebrows. With no official confirmation, the rumors continue to swirl. In today’s social media world, it’s hard for public figures to keep relationships healthy, this may be why the two are attempting to keep it all quiet.