Just like fellow 2019 draft class quarterback Justin Herbert, Bengals signal-caller Joe Burrow is eligible for a massive extension this offseason. To no surprise, the legwork for putting together a second contract is underway for both players. 
The Bengals are turning their attention towards a second contract for Burrow, as noted this week by top contract negotiator Katie Blackburn. With the first few waves of free agency complete, Cincinnati’s top priority is maintaining as many members of their young core as possible, beginning of course with the former No. 1 pick.
“We’ve been thinking about it,” Blackburn said on the subject of a Burrow extension, via Kelsey Conway of the Cincinnati Enquirer. “We’ve had some preliminary discussions, but there’s free agency and such. So, we’ll see if we can get into it a little bit more maybe… it’s hard to say exactly what the pace [is] but we hope that there’s something that can get done.”
Burrow, 26, has put aside all doubt about his potential after his rookie season ended with an ACL tear. Helping lead the Bengals to consecutive AFC title games (and one Super Bowl appearance) over the past two years, he has established himself as one of the top passers in the league. That has him on track to become one of, if not the highest-paid players in the league once an extension is in place.
Regarding the structure of the Pro Bowler’s next accord, something similar to the one signed by Patrick Mahomes could be in the cards. Bengals owner Mike Brown pointed to that deal (10 years, $450MM in base value) as a favorable blueprint, as noted by Conway in a separate piece. The length of the Mahomes contract remains unrivaled in the NFL, but the Chiefs have enjoyed plenty of success to date with him on the books. Burrow’s age and production suggests a long-term investment would be relatively safe.
The particulars of what the LSU product is seeking, however, remain to be seen at this point. Not much urgency exists in one sense since Burrow can be kept under contract through the 2024 campaign via the fifth-year option. However, the Bengals (just like the Chargers with Herbert, and the Eagles with Jalen Hurts) would likely be well-served to get a deal done before the QB market undergoes its next upward surge with extensions for the latter two.
Five QBs currently average $45MM or more per season on their existing contracts. That figure is likely the floor for any Burrow extension, with a strong potential existing for an AAV notably higher than that. Over the coming weeks and months, the progress which is made in contract talks will be a key storyline for the Bengals and the rest of the quarterback landscape.
Lamar wants to know what Burrow’s mom’s role is in this process
Of course, Zach Wilson is probably interested in Burrow’s mom as well
Lamar’s agent is going to be fuming when Burrow only resets the market by a few million more per year in AAV, and not with a fully guaranteed contract.
“Lamar’s agent” – hahaha, good one
So it begins…
If I were the Chargers or Bengals I would be racing to get this thing done, whoever goes first, I assume the other will top it. It would be nice for them to take a team centric approach and leave a little meat on the bone so they can field competitive teams around them. If both go $50+ mill it’s going to be tough to keep weapons.
So the quarterback should take less than market value so the receivers get market value. I’ll let your boss know you’re on board with that
You would think so but Burrow is a better QB than Herbert… and Herbert is very good. Herbert is a better athlete but I’ll take Burrow all day long over Herbert. Not sure how that shakes out in terms of contracts tho.
If I could hand pick a QB to start my team with I would take Burrow over Mahomes or anyone else for that matter. To me they are too close to pick as for who is actually better. Therefore it comes down to preference for me and I love how Burrow is so confident but not cocky. Outstanding leader. Not that Mahomes isn’t but Burrow has beat him 3 out of 4 times … so for me .. that means something
So you would take Baker Mayfield over Burrow since Baker has beaten Burrow 3-0. After all, that means something to you. Apparently Super Bowl wins don’t
Fair point on the surface – didn’t think we discussed Super Bowl wins .. sure they mean something. I did say they are too close to pick … but I preferred Burrow. In your Mayfeild example, they are not too close to pick or even in the same galaxy… so that trumps the record. Additionally, most people outside of Kansas City know that the one time Mahomes beat Burrow … was grossly aided by horrible calls. To the point it was investigated to some degree. Regardless, Burrow is my preference of 2 extraordinary QB’s … is that ok with you? 🙂
Sure. You can have your opinion but nothing backs it up. There are plenty of people that would take Herbert over Burrow. I wouldn’t because Burrow has proven to be the better quarterback even though he is 0-1 against Herbert. As for the penalty excuses, I’m sure you remember the first game that the Bengals won when the refs gave the Bengals first down 3 times inside the 10 yard line basically running down the clock for a last second winning FG. Bengal fans are the biggest whiners I’ve ever seen
As a Baltimore fan, this is gonna sting losing Lamar and then watching Cincy sign Burrow long term. I don’t actively root for bad things but if they could fudge up the negotiations, I wouldn’t be upset.
$51 million per year. 10 years. Promises of reuping Jamar. Ownership in the reds lol
Didn’t mahomes get ownership in the royals. Since we’re throwing trash on top of money.
My damn reds. Ahh
He bought into the ownership group. Wasn’t giving to him..just adding to his business empire.
Everyone has their own flavor, but for me, Burrow is the best QB in the league. He made the flippin Bengals relevant…Pay dat man hiss money
MVP’s. Super Bowl wins. Passing titles. All of these things point to Mahomes as the clear best
Eli isn’t better than Brady because of a few matchups and Burrow isn’t better than Mahomes. But he has a nice lead on number 3
Does he? His and Allen’s numbers are pretty close despite Burrow having the better pass catching group. Then you add in Allen’s running ability. I don’t know that Burrow has a lead at all right now. He has better weapons as of today. I don’t know that he’s the better QB.
You’ll lose any argument trying to convince people that Allen is better than Burrow
Based on what though? Again, the argument is based on what one has done compared to the other. Are we basing who is better on team results?
Josh Allen helped the Bills score 36 points in regulation and with 13 seconds left, his defense gave up enough yards for a FG and he never touched the ball again in the game. Otherwise Burrow has to play Buffalo and then things might not turn out for cinci.
That’s the only foundation for an argument is “well this guy went to SB and the other didn’t”. As of right now, I don’t see a whole lot that makes Burrow better. He has a better supporting cast, does that make him the better player?
don’t forget Allen’s big game chokes
Burrow has his share of chokes
Is losing a game choking? Like the conversation is that one might be better than the other so is losing to a really good QB considered choking now?
The Super Bowl….he had the ball with almost 2 minutes and a timeout and didn’t get near FG range. In the AFC Championship game, he had over 2 minutes and couldn’t get into FG range. He gave the ball back to Mahomes and the rest is history. I don’t know if you think that’s choking or not but it’s certainly not rising to the occasion.
Where was Allen in the playoff game against the Bengals this year ? That game was over 5 minutes in. Momentum never changed …
That’s the only choke by Allen. He played great in the other KC game. Burrow likes to be compared to Brady but he’s not gotten the job done in either game. He’s played average when his team needed him.
Bet he gets more than 200 mill guaranteed ..
Doesn’t need to though – as he plays every game – unlike the Baltimore running back.
Howie Roseman needs to get Jalen Hurts deal done before burrow, Lamar, Herbert, and Tua all get theirs. It’s already going to be a massive deal for hurts, but if those others are done 1st, Jalen will have a few more massive contracts that he’s gonna expect to be at!
GET IT DONE NOW HOWIE!!!
Hurts will play 4 years. He’s exactly what Lamar is.