- Wednesday, October 16, 2024
CINCINNATI (AP) — In a groundbreaking move, Cincinnati Bengals quarterback Joe Burrow has secured his place as the highest-paid player in the NFL. According to a person familiar with the deal, Burrow has agreed to a five-year, $275 million contract extension.
The staggering contract includes an impressive $219 million guaranteed, solidifying Burrow's status as one of the league's elite quarterbacks. With an average annual salary of $55 million, Burrow now surpasses other top quarterbacks who recently signed new contracts during the offseason.
Beloved by his teammates and fans in Cincinnati, Burrow has completely turned around the fortunes of the franchise. Known for his decisiveness and creative leadership skills, he has proven to be a master at making plays when everything seems to break down.
While signing an extension with the Bengals was a key goal for the team this summer, the deal was not finalized until just three days before the Bengals' season opener against Cleveland.
Expressing his joy, Burrow told reporters on Wednesday, "This is where I want to be for my entire career. The front office and Coach Zac Taylor have made incredible strides, and I am proud to be a part of their success. The city of Cincinnati has a great locker room filled with talented individuals who work tirelessly to showcase their abilities."
Under Burrow's leadership, the Bengals have clinched two consecutive AFC North titles and made it to the Super Bowl in 2021, narrowly losing to the Rams with a score of 23-20. Last season, Cincinnati finished with an outstanding record of 12-4, with Burrow breaking franchise records for completions, pass attempts, and passing touchdowns.
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The Rise and Future of Joe Burrow
Despite facing challenges early in his career, Joe Burrow has emerged as one of the NFL's top quarterbacks. After undergoing season-ending knee surgery in 2020, Burrow made a triumphant return to the field. The Cincinnati Bengals, known for their frugal ways, have not seen a Super Bowl appearance since 1998 or a playoff win since 1990.
This summer, Burrow suffered a calf muscle strain during training camp, causing him to miss valuable playing time. However, he has made a promising recovery and is expected to start against the Browns on Sunday.
The market for quarterbacks experienced a significant shift in late July when Justin Herbert of the Los Angeles Chargers signed a lucrative five-year, $262.5 million extension. With an average annual salary of $52.5 million, Herbert surpassed Lamar Jackson's $260 million, five-year extension ($52 million average) that he signed earlier in April. Additionally, Deshaun Watson secured a fully guaranteed $230 million deal with Cleveland for 2022.
Meanwhile, Patrick Mahomes of the Kansas City Chiefs continues to hold the record for the largest overall quarterback deal. His 10-year contract is worth an astonishing $450 million.
In anticipation of a megadeal, Cincinnati exercised the fifth-year option on Burrow's rookie contract this past April. However, the negotiation process took longer than expected for both parties. Bengals owner Mike Brown assured fans last year that the team was restructuring their finances to secure a long-term deal for Burrow. They made further salary cap space by restructuring running back Joe Mixon's contract.
Now that Burrow is locked in, the Bengals can shift their focus to other key players. Wide receiver Tee Higgins, who is also eligible for an extension, will be a priority. Linebacker Logan Wilson recently agreed to a four-year extension worth up to $37.25 million last month.
Looking ahead, star receiver Ja'Marr Chase will become eligible for an extension after this season. Both Higgins and Chase are expected to secure top salaries, positioning them among the highest-paid receivers in the league.
The future looks bright for Joe Burrow and the Cincinnati Bengals. With their quarterback in place and upcoming extensions for key players, the team has a renewed sense of optimism as they strive for long-awaited success in the playoffs and beyond.
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