CINCINNATI (AP) — Cincinnati Bengals quarterback Joe Burrow turned the highest-paid participant within the NFL on Thursday, agreeing to a five-year, $275 million contract extension, in accordance with an individual accustomed to the deal.
The contract contains greater than $219 million assured, mentioned the particular person, who spoke on situation of anonymity as a result of it hadn’t been introduced.
The deal, which pays Burrow a median of $55 million a 12 months, places him forward of different high quarterbacks within the league who signed new offers within the offseason.
Signing the 2022 Professional Bowler and 2021 AP NFL Comeback Participant of the Yr to an extension was a objective of the staff this summer time, however the deal wasn’t finalized till three days earlier than the Bengals’ season opener at Cleveland.
Joe Burrow #9 of the Cincinnati Bengals passes as he warms up previous to the AFC Championship NFL soccer recreation between the Kansas Metropolis Chiefs and the Cincinnati Bengals at GEHA Area at Arrowhead Stadium on January 29, 2023, in Kansas Metropolis, Missouri. (Michael Owens/Getty Photos)
“That is the place I wish to be my entire profession,” Burrow advised reporters on Wednesday. “You’ve seen what the entrance workplace has performed and what (coach) Zac (Taylor) has performed of their time right here. I’m a small a part of that. I’m excited to be part of that. And we’ve got nice individuals within the locker room that grind day-after-day, which can be excited to go and showcase their abilities and excited to go and do it within the metropolis of Cincinnati.”
Burrow strained a calf muscle early in coaching camp and was out of motion till final week. He mentioned Wednesday he’s on observe to start out in opposition to the Browns on Sunday.
Herbert’s complete worth and $52.5 million common per season surpassed the $260 million, five-year extension ($52 million common) that Baltimore’s Lamar Jackson signed in April. Deshaun Watson agreed to a totally assured $230 million cope with Cleveland in 2022.
Kansas Metropolis’s Patrick Mahomes is within the third 12 months of a 10-year contract price $450 million, the most important general deal for a quarterback.
Cincinnati picked up the fifth-year possibility on the 26-year-old Burrow’s rookie contract in April forward of the anticipated megadeal, which wasn’t as fast to get performed as either side would have most well-liked.
Joe Mixon #28 and Joe Burrow #9 of the Cincinnati Bengals take part in a drill throughout an offseason exercise on June 13, 2023 in Cincinnati, Ohio. (Dylan Buell/Getty Photos)
Burrow has led the Bengals to 2 straight AFC North titles and a Tremendous Bowl after the 2021 season, a 23-20 loss to the Rams.
Cincinnati completed 12-4 final 12 months, with Burrow setting franchise single-season data for completions, cross makes an attempt and passing touchdowns.
Bengals proprietor Mike Brown mentioned a 12 months in the past that the staff had begun restructuring funds so as safe a long-term deal for Burrow. The Bengals cleared extra wage cap house when operating again Joe Mixon accepted a restructured deal and pay lower this month.
With Burrow locked up, the Bengals can flip their consideration to different gamers, together with large receiver Tee Higgins, who can also be eligible for an extension. Linebacker Logan Wilson agreed to a four-year extension final month price as much as $37.25 million.
Star receiver Ja’Marr Chase shall be eligible for an extension after this season. Higgins and Chase each will command salaries that put them among the many highest-paid receivers within the league.