The Cincinnati Bengals finally managed to get their star quarterback Joe Burrow to sign a long-term extension. However, they needed the richest contract in NFL history to pull it off.
According to multiple reports, Burrow accepted a five-year, $275 million extension with the Bengals earlier this week. The deal comes with $219.01 million and an average annual salary of $55 million, which makes him the highest-paid player in the league.
The Bengals are yet to officially confirm the deal but have been leaving hints on their social media profiles lately.
Burrow is credited for transforming the Bengals into Super Bowl contenders since being selected first overall in the 2020 NFL Draft. After a knee injury cut his rookie season short, Burrow won the NFL Comeback Player of the Year award and led Cincinnati to a Super Bowl appearance in 2021. He then earned his first Pro Bowl nod last season with a campaign that included 4,475 throwing yards, 35 touchdowns, and 12 picks.
Burrow is the latest young quarterback to get a market-changing new contract. Earlier in the offseason, Philadelphia Eagles’ Jalen Hurts, Los Angeles Chargers’ Justin Herbert, and Baltimore Ravens’ Lamar Jackson all signed long-term deals with their respective franchises.
Getting a new deal with Burrow sorted out was the most important piece of business for the Bengals this offseason. They will now likely focus on trying to get an extension done with wideout Tee Higgins, who is set to enter the final year of his rookie deal.
