CINCINNATI (`) — Cincinnati Bengals quarterback Joe Burrow on Thursday became the NFL’s highest-paid player and agreed to a five-year, $275 million contract extension, according to a person familiar with the deal.
The deal includes a guarantee of more than $219 million, said the person, who asked to remain anonymous because it was not disclosed.
The deal, which earns Burrow an average of $55 million a year, puts him ahead of other top quarterbacks in the league who signed new deals during the offseason.
Popular with teammates and fans in Cincinnati, Burrow has reversed the tide of the franchise while earning a reputation as a decisive and creative leader with a knack for gaining yards when games go haywire.
One goal for the team this summer was to sign the 2022 Pro Bowler and 2021 ` NFL comeback player of the year for an extension, but the deal wasn’t finalized until three days before the Bengals’ season opener in Cleveland.
“This is where I want to spend my entire career,” Burrow told reporters on Wednesday. “You’ve seen what the front office has done and what (coach) Zac (Taylor) has done in her time here. I’m a small part of it. I’m happy to be a part of it. And we have amazing people in the locker room who grind every day who are excited to showcase their talents and excited to do so in the city of Cincinnati.”
Burrow guided the Bengals to two straight AFC North titles and a Super Bowl following the 2021 season, a 23-20 loss to the Rams. Cincinnati finished last year 12-4, with Burrow setting single-season franchise records for completions, passing attempts, and passing touchdowns.
Burrow had to undergo season-ending knee surgery in 2020, his rookie year. Upon his return, he immediately became one of the NFL’s best passers. The notoriously thrifty Bengals hadn’t reached a Super Bowl or had a playoff win since 1990.
Burrow pulled a calf muscle early in training camp this summer and was out of action until last week. He said Wednesday he was on track to start against the Browns on Sunday.
The quarterback market was primed for Burrow in late July when Los Angeles Chargers QB Justin Herbert agreed to a five-year, $262.5 million extension.
Herbert’s overall worth and average of $52.5 million per season surpassed the five-year renewal by $260 million ($52 million average) signed by Baltimore’s Lamar Jackson in April. Deshaun Watson agreed to a fully guaranteed $230 million deal with Cleveland in 2022.
Kansas City’s Patrick Mahomes is a third-year 10-year contract worth $450 million, the largest overall contract for a quarterback.
Comments are closed.