SEPTEMBER 9: The Bengals have made it official, with the organization announcing their extension with Burrow.
“Quarterback is the most critical position in sports, and Joe has embraced his role here with intelligence and determination,” coach Zac Taylor said in a statement. “The team responds to Joe as our quarterback, and we look forward to a bright future with Joe continuing to lead our talented roster. He makes everyone better.”
SEPTEMBER 7: With all eyes on the NFL’s season opener in Kansas City, the Bengals have stolen some attention away from their conference rival. According to ESPN’s Adam Schefter, the Bengals and quarterback Joe Burrow have agreed to a record-breaking extension.
It’s a five-year, $275MM deal for Burrow, including $219.01MM in guaranteed money. The contract makes the QB the highest-paid player in NFL history.
It always seemed inevitable that Burrow would eventually get his megadeal, with offseason reports indicating that the extension would get done before the start of the regular season. Indeed, it sounds like both sides made some recent progress. NFL Network’s Ian Rapoport tweets that the extension was an “open secret” at Bengals practice today, and Rapoport adds that the organization was simply waiting for Burrow’s “final official yes.”
It’s been a pricey offseason for quarterback extensions, and Burrow always seemed like he’d be the final QB to sign. His $275MM contract tops the offseason deals signed by Justin Herbert ($262.5MM), Jalen Hurts ($255MM), and Lamar Jackson ($260MM). Per ESPN’s Field Yates, Burrow now paces the position “in new money average per year” at $55MM, beating Herbert ($52.5MM), Jackson ($52MM), Hurts ($51MM), and Aaron Rodgers ($49MM).
It’s been an impressive five-year run for Burrow. The LSU product won the Heisman Trophy and National Championship before being selected with the first-overall pick in the 2020 draft. He reached the Super Bowl during the 2021 campaign, and the Bengals returned to the AFC Championship Game during the 2022 season. Now, Burrow is the highest-paid player in NFL history, although he’ll surely fall down the list when the next round of extensions pop up next offseason.
Now signed to a lucrative deal, Burrow will look to build off his productive 2021 and 2022 campaigns. Burrow suffered a sprained calf back in August, putting the start of his 2023 season in doubt. However, after returning to practice last week, it sounds like the franchise QB will be good to go for Sunday’s season opener against the Browns.
While the Bengals front office can cross Burrow’s extension off their to-do list, the team has more pricey deals coming up. Tee Higgins is an impending free agent and will be a popular free agent, with the wideout topping 1,000 receiving yards in each of the past two seasons. Ja’Marr Chase is also eligible for an extension next offseason, meaning the Bengals could soon be eyeing pricey cap hits for three of their offensive stars.
Burrow’s record-breaking deal comes a day after Nick Bosa agreed to a contract that made him the highest-paid defensive player in NFL history. As Schefter notes, WME Sports was responsible for negotiating both deals, with the two contracts combining for more than $445MM.
Totally didn’t see THAT coming!
Do you know how much Skyline Chili you can buy with that kinda dough?
Well deserved imo
WME getting paid heavy points.
Give him a supporting cast and he’ll win. You can see the guy is a winner.
I’m thinking about that old quote from way back when Mike Ditka was negotiating a new deal with George Halas. When he came out of Halas’ office he told reporters. “George Halas throws nickels around like manhole covers.” That still cracks me up. Boy, are those days gone.
My favorite old timer story is Jim Ringo. Center for the Packers. After 2 straight NFL Championships in 61-62 goes to Lombardi and asks for a raise.
Lombardi who is the GM as well basically. Tells Ringo. A Pro Bowler when that was actually taken more seriously. All Pro too. Vince says hold on a minute. I will be right back.
He comes back into the office and tells Jim he’s been traded to Philadelphia who was 4-10 or something in 1962 and was about to go through a 15 year downturn spiral until Dick Vermeil arrived.
Burrow will hold the record until T Law signs an extension.
Sounds right, unless Pat agrees to a new deal but I dont know the specifics there. Only other possibility is Tua. If has a big year and stays healthy he would at least be in the neighborhood. And in the laughable section, theres always a new deal for Dak lol
The timing was epic ! Chiefs kickoff ! The closest thing to a Bengals win is a chiefs loss
ESPN tried and failed to bogart the season opener. The Bengals made it official in time for the First Battle Of Ohio.
Get the money banked before the Bengals realize you have a tendency to get banged up Joe.
So, it’s actually a 4 year extension at 220 million then?
That’s a lot of money for the second best quarterback! Let’s go Kansas City!
Mahomes isn’t going to like losing the first game of the year!
It’s a lot of money for any QB. I hope everyone saw what happened on Thursday. Mahomes looks less dominate throwing to third rate receivers. They lost to the Lions. I know Detroit is a much improved team, but the SB champs just lost to the Lions.
Good for Joe – now he and Justin can pool their money and buy their own team!