Joe Burrow makes NFL history via new contract with Cincinnati Bengals
The Cincinnati Bengals and Joe Burrow have agreed to a 5-year contract extension worth a reported $275 million extension that includes $219.01 million guaranteed. ESPN's Adam Schefter first reported the news.
Burrow, 26, is now the highest-paid quarterback in the NFL. Burrow has revitalized the franchise in his first three seasons with the Bengals. In back-to-back seasons, Burrow led the way to consecutive AFC North championships, two trips to the AFC championship game and an appearance in Super Bowl 56.
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The Bengals have made several changes on and off the field the past two years to ensure they had they had the finances to pay Burrow at market value. Burrow surpassed Jalen Hurts, Lamar Jackson and Justin Herbert – all of whom got new deals this offseason – with this new contract. Herbert reset the market on July 25 when he agreed to a five-year deal worth a reported $262.5 million.
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Bengals owner Mike Brown famously said “we see the train coming” ahead of the 2022 season when asked about the decisions to sell the naming rights of the stadium to Paycor, along with the naming rights of the practice fields and indoor facility. The team also allowed various companies to buy gate signage rights all over Paycor Stadium.
These decisions were made to pay Burrow and the team is hopeful to be able to keep wide receiver Tee Higgins. The wide receiver market has exploded over the last few seasons and Higgins will demand a lucrative contract. The next priority for the Bengals is locking in extensions with Higgins and next offseason Ja'Marr Chase will be eligible for an extension.
It was important for the Bengals to get the contract extension with Burrow done ahead of the season opener in Cleveland for many reasons. The most important one being the long-term security he will feel with this extension done.
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Given the position he plays and the volume of hits he takes on his body, the worry of another potential catastrophic injury is also something surely any NFL quarterback keeps in mind. That’s why the guaranteed money at this position is so high. Burrow has been sacked 124 times in three seasons.
In 42 regular season games, Burrow has completed 1,044 passes for 11,774 yards and 82 touchdowns. Earning his first Pro Bowl nod in 2022, Burrow was also the NFL’s comeback player of the year in 2021 after tearing his ACL in his rookie season.
Burrow stated on Wednesday his desire to play his whole career for the Bengals. This deal keeps him in Cincinnati for at least another five years. "This is where I want to be my whole career," Burrow said. "We’re working toward making that happen. You’ve seen what the front office has done and what Zac (Taylor) has done in their time here. I’m a small part of that. I’m excited to be a part of that. And we have great people in the locker room that grind every day, that are excited to go and showcase their talents and excited to go and do it in the city of Cincinnati. We have the best fans and so this is where I want to be."
This article originally appeared on Cincinnati Enquirer: Cincinnati Bengals QB Joe Burrow lands top NFL contract per AAV
