Joe Burrow has expressed his disappointment at not getting to play in the international games, despite his emergence as one of the league's most impactful figures. But he might finally get to play overseas this season, that too against a competitive opponent.

The international schedule will have to have teams that will create some exciting matchups. With that logic, Geoff Hobson of the Bengals Booth Podcast also thinks the Bengals will give the NFL that answer. He selected an interesting opponent for the Burrow-led squad.

“Yeah, I kind of lean to Washington," Hobson said. "They're into matchups, and that's gonna be Burrow versus Jayden Daniels. They had a primetime shootout at PayCor [in 2024].”

“Both really are exciting players… That’s what I would lean to, just because of the matchup,” Hobson added.

Jayden Daniels and Joe Burrow are both from LSU and have won the coveted Heisman Trophy. The Washington QB, however, always played in Cincinnati's QB's shadow at LSU, since Burrow had given the program its most recent National Championship in 2019. But their 2024 clash was one for the books.

Daniels was in his rookie year and was nearly flawless in that game. He connected on 21 of his 23 passes, and the Commanders scored on every possession except the kneel-downs in each half.

The last time the two faced each other was in the preseason of 2025. Cincinnati won that game 31-17, which makes a future matchup between the two sides even more interesting. According to the league, the Bengals might finally get to play in this important game, thanks to their star quarterback.

The Bengals Have a Real Shot at Playing Internationally

Earlier this year, Burrow took to his Instagram when rumors started circulating about the team's possible game against the Atlanta Falcons in Madrid. The quarterback is a big reason behind Cincinnati's growth in recent years, and deserves a spot in the international calendar. But this might finally be the year he gets his long-awaited wish fulfilled.

"I think that's a real possibility for the Bengals this year," NFL VP of Broadcast Planning, Mike North, told Bengals.com earlier this month. "Certainly, they're a candidate to go play Washington in London... They've got one of those fan bases, thanks in large part to the quarterback, that resonates in Europe and across the planet."

It is all lining up. The Commanders are set to play at the iconic Tottenham Stadium in London, and still do not have an opponent fixed. The venue was also rebuilt with a clear idea of hosting NFL games. And since Burrow's popularity continues to rise, a Washington vs Cincinnati could be a big draw.

Do you think this matchup will eventually be realized this year? Let us know in the comments.

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Written by

Anjali Thakur

Edited by

Afreen Kabir