After plenty of discussions, Joe Burrow and the Cincinnati Bengals are in agreement on a massive contract extension to make Burrow the highest-paid player in the history of the NFL. Burrow’s contract extension is for $275 Million over five years with $219 Million guaranteed.
A record deal: Joe Burrow has reached agreement with the Bengals on an 5-year, $275 million extension that includes $219.01 million guaranteed and makes him the highest-paid player in NFL history, sources tell ESPN. pic.twitter.com/6GttDs7zk6
— Adam Schefter (@AdamSchefter) September 8, 2023
Burrow, Bengals Agree to Contract Extension
Ever since the Bengals selected Burrow first overall in the 2020 NFL Draft, there has been new life breathed into the franchise. He came to Cincinnati after winning the Heisman and CFP National Championship at LSU and breaking record after record.
As a rookie, Burrow came in right away and showed he belonged in the league. He threw for 2,688 yards and 13 touchdowns with just five interceptions. Burrow started the team’s first 10 games before suffering a knee-shattering injury against the Washington Football Team (now Commanders). He was just getting started in the NFL and made a full recovery ahead of schedule.
2021 was when it was evident that the Bengals franchise was different. He had to shake off some rust and get accustomed to that rebuilt knee and started off slow with a win over the Vikings and an ugly loss to the Bears. All in all, Burrow led the Bengals to a 10-6 season behind 70.4 % passing, 4,611 yards, and 34 touchdowns. In the Week 16 win over the Ravens, Burrow broke the Bengals single-game record with 525 passing yards. In the win over the Chiefs in Week 17, Burrow broke the Bengals single-season passing mark.
After securing the AFC North title and winning the AP Comeback Player of the Year, Burrow and the Bengals went on a run to Super Bowl LVI. The Bengals notched wins over the Raiders, Titans, and Chiefs en route to a Super Bowl appearance, the team’s third in history. There, Burrow very nearly led the Bengals back to win but lost to the Rams.
Leading into the 2022 season, Burrow underwent an emergency appendectomy in the preseason. Despite that, he was healthy and ready for Week 1 where he played one of the worst games of his career against the Steelers. After starting off 0-2, Burrow and the Bengals won 12 of their next 14 games to capture the AFC North crown yet again. Burrow finished the year with 4,475 yards (second most in Bengals history) and 35 touchdowns (most in Bengals history) off of 68.3% passing.
Again, Burrow went on a playoff run, defeating the Ravens and Bills before ultimately falling to the Chiefs in the AFC Championship.
In just three short years, Burrow has established himself as not only one of the Bengals greatest quarterbacks but one of the top quarterbacks in the NFL. This payday further solidifies that and provides both Burrow and the franchise with even more stability.
Main Image: Sam Greene/The Enquirer / USA TODAY NETWORK
