Report: Dolphins tried to trade up for Burrow

Joe Burrow has rejuvenated the Cincinnati Bengals franchise in just two seasons, with the quarterback set to play in his first AFC Championship Game on Sunday against the Kansas City Chiefs.

However, the up-and-coming star could've been leading the Miami Dolphins instead.

Miami attempted to acquire the 2020 No. 1 overall selection from the Bengals and was willing to give up all three of its first-round picks that year and more, sources told Ian Rapoport of NFL Network.

Dolphins owner Stephen Ross was among those pushing hardest for the trade, but Cincinnati reportedly had no interest and quickly shut down talks, according to Rapoport.

Miami ultimately stayed at No. 5 overall and selected Tua Tagovailoa, who produced an inconsistent first two campaigns in the NFL.

The Dolphins will likely view the 2020 draft as a significant turning point in franchise history if Tagovailoa can't reach his pre-draft expectations.

They also missed out on a less costly chance at another franchise-caliber passer in Justin Herbert, whom the Los Angeles Chargers took a pick after Tagovailoa.

Herbert won Offensive Rookie of the Year in 2020 and followed that up with a 5,000-yard Pro Bowl season in 2021. He's also the first quarterback to record 30 touchdown passes in each of his first two campaigns.

Burrow's sophomore leap was a major reason for the Bengals' improvement this campaign. He threw for 4,611 yards and 34 touchdowns against 14 interceptions in the regular season despite coming off a torn ACL that prematurely ended his rookie year. He's also thrown for 592 yards and two touchdowns against one interception in two playoff appearances.