Super Bowl predictions are already in for quarterback Joe Burrow and the Cincinnati Bengals following the NFL schedule. On ESPN, an analyst has even started laying out their early championship picks for 2026 with a specific scenario for QB Matthew Stafford's retirement.

ESPN analyst Dan Orlovsky recently gave his Lombardi trophy prediction on Get Up on May 15. The former NFL quarterback predicted a Super Bowl matchup between the Bengals and the Los Angeles Rams.

“I’m going Bengals-Rams,” Orlovsky said. “I feel passionate about the Cincinnati Bengals. This offensive line is going to slightly improve... Joe stays healthy. The best team in football last year, arguably, did not win the Super Bowl. I think we get Joe-Stafford; Stafford wins it, and retires.”

The predictions revived memories of Super Bowl LVI, where the Rams defeated Cincinnati 23-20. Stafford remains one of the league's biggest names entering 2026 after helping Los Angeles reach another deep playoff run last season, winning his first MVP award.

Earlier this year, Orlovsky also spoke about the veteran quarterback potentially stepping away from football if he wins another ring.

“I have absolutely no knowledge if that’s his reality,” Orlovsky said on Get Up in January. “But I think if he has that storybook with his family, that makes a lot of sense.”

According to SI's Los Angeles Rams coverage, league executives believe that if Stafford decides to hang up his cleats, Rams GM Les Snead could make an aggressive trade push for Joe Burrow.

With expectations around Burrow continuing to rise, Cincinnati remains firm in early Super Bowl conversations heading into training camp.

Dan Orlovsky Backs the Bengals to Win the AFC North

Speaking on The Pat McAfee Show earlier this month, Orlovsky backed Cincinnati to take the division based on their offseason moves and roster upgrades.

“Right now, they would be my pick to win the division,” Orlovsky said earlier this month. “I think it’s obviously a huge year for Cincinnati, for Joe Burrow. That’s why they made the trade for Dexter Lawrence. A bunch of new starters on defense that just have to pay off for them.”

Earlier in April, Orlovsky’s comments about Cincinnati’s offensive line interestingly drew a response from former Bengals tackle Willie Anderson on social media. Anderson responded on social media in defense of the unit.

The Bengals now head into the 2026 season with rising expectations and increased scrutiny in a tight contest in the AFC North.

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Written by

Debanjali Rakshit

Edited by

Aadesh Dhote