Please ensure Javascript is enabled for purposes of website accessibility
Joe Burrow Becomes NFL's Highest-Paid Player With $275M Deal: Source
gvw_ap_news
By Associated Press
Published 2 years ago on
September 8, 2023

Share

CINCINNATI — Cincinnati Bengals quarterback Joe Burrow became the highest-paid player in the NFL on Thursday, agreeing to a five-year, $275 million contract extension, according to a person familiar with the deal.

The contract includes more than $219 million guaranteed, said the person, who spoke on condition of anonymity because it hadn’t been announced.

The deal, which will pay Burrow an average of $55 million a year, puts him ahead of other top quarterbacks in the league who signed new contracts in the offseason.

Joe Burrow’s Impact on the Bengals

Beloved by teammates and fans in Cincinnati, Burrow has reversed the fortunes of the franchise while earning a reputation as a decisive and creative leader with a knack for figuring out how to pick up yards when plays break down.

Signing the 2022 Pro Bowler and 2021 AP NFL Comeback Player of the Year to an extension was a goal of the team this summer, but the deal wasn’t finalized until three days before the Bengals’ season opener at Cleveland.

“This is where I want to be my whole career,” Burrow told reporters on Wednesday. “You’ve seen what the front office has done and what (coach) Zac (Taylor) has done in their time here. I’m a small part of that. I’m excited to be a part of that. And we have great people in the locker room that grind every day, that are excited to go and showcase their talents and excited to go and do it in the city of Cincinnati.”

Burrow has led the Bengals to two straight AFC North titles and a Super Bowl after the 2021 season, a 23-20 loss to the Rams. Cincinnati finished 12-4 last year, with Burrow setting franchise single-season records for completions, pass attempts and passing touchdowns.

Burrow’s Recovery and Return

Burrow had season-ending knee surgery in 2020, his rookie year. He immediately became one of the NFL’s best passers upon his return. The notoriously frugal Bengals had not reached a Super Bowl since 1998 or even recorded a playoff win since 1990.

Burrow strained a calf muscle early in this summer’s training camp and was out of action until last week. He said Wednesday he’s on track to start against the Browns on Sunday.

The market for quarterbacks was set for Burrow in late July when Los Angeles Chargers QB Justin Herbert agreed to a five-year, $262.5 million extension.

Herbert’s total value and $52.5 million average per season surpassed the $260 million, five-year extension ($52 million average) that Baltimore’s Lamar Jackson signed in April. Deshaun Watson agreed to a fully guaranteed $230 million deal with Cleveland in 2022.

Kansas City’s Patrick Mahomes is in the third year of a 10-year contract worth $450 million, the largest overall deal for a quarterback.

Future Plans for the Bengals

Cincinnati picked up the fifth-year option on the 26-year-old Burrow’s rookie contract in April ahead of the expected megadeal, which wasn’t as quick to get done as both sides would have preferred.

Bengals owner Mike Brown said a year ago that the team had begun restructuring finances in order secure a long-term deal for Burrow. The Bengals cleared more salary cap space when running back Joe Mixon accepted a restructured deal and pay cut this month.

With Burrow locked up, the Bengals can turn their attention to other players, including wide receiver Tee Higgins, who is also eligible for an extension. Linebacker Logan Wilson agreed to a four-year extension last month worth up to $37.25 million.

Star receiver Ja’Marr Chase will be eligible for an extension after this season. Higgins and Chase both will command salaries that put them among the highest-paid receivers in the league.

RELATED TOPICS:

DON'T MISS

City of Clovis Celebrates Opening of New Letterman Dog Park

DON'T MISS

Three Killed, 15 Injured in a Shooting at a Park in New Mexico’s Las Cruces

DON'T MISS

Pope Francis to Be Released From Hospital Sunday After 5 Weeks Fighting Pneumonia

DON'T MISS

3 People Killed in Russian Attacks on Ukraine’s Zaporizhzhia Despite Limited Truce

DON'T MISS

Israel Fires on Lebanon After Rocket Attack in Largest Clash Since Truce With Hezbollah

DON'T MISS

George Foreman, the Heavyweight Who Became a Beloved Champion, Dies at 76

DON'T MISS

America Is Aggravating the World’s Worst Humanitarian Crisis

DON'T MISS

Madera Drama Teacher Sees the Arts as a Gateway to Improving Literacy Skills

DON'T MISS

Researchers Say US Government Tried to Erase Sexual Orientation From Findings

DON'T MISS

As Trump Broadens Crackdown, Focus Expands to Legal Immigrants and Tourists

UP NEXT

George Foreman, the Heavyweight Who Became a Beloved Champion, Dies at 76

UP NEXT

Thousands of Veterans Could Lose Homes as Congress Debates VA Rescue Program

UP NEXT

Fewer Than 1% of March Madness Brackets Remain Perfect After First Day of Games

UP NEXT

Butler Scores 18, but Curry Injured in Warriors Win Over Raptors

UP NEXT

In Rush to Release Kennedy Files, Personal Information Went Public, Too

UP NEXT

Report Finds That Stanford Football Coach Mistreated Female Staff Members

UP NEXT

NBA Champion Boston Celtics to Be Sold for a Record $6.1 Billion

UP NEXT

Thanks to Ohtani, MLB Enjoys Huge Success in Japan as 2025 Season Kicks Off

UP NEXT

Luka Doncic Scores 31 as Lakers Rout the Depleted Nuggets

UP NEXT

Butler Does It All as Warriors Don’t Need Curry to Clip Bucks

3 People Killed in Russian Attacks on Ukraine’s Zaporizhzhia Despite Limited Truce

17 hours ago

Israel Fires on Lebanon After Rocket Attack in Largest Clash Since Truce With Hezbollah

17 hours ago

George Foreman, the Heavyweight Who Became a Beloved Champion, Dies at 76

17 hours ago

America Is Aggravating the World’s Worst Humanitarian Crisis

18 hours ago

Madera Drama Teacher Sees the Arts as a Gateway to Improving Literacy Skills

19 hours ago

Researchers Say US Government Tried to Erase Sexual Orientation From Findings

1 day ago

As Trump Broadens Crackdown, Focus Expands to Legal Immigrants and Tourists

1 day ago

Trump Administration Fires Nearly Entire Civil Rights Branch of Homeland Security

1 day ago

Pro-Palestinian Group Sues UCLA Over Handling of Demonstrations

1 day ago

Clovis Medical School Celebrates 100% Residency Match for Second Straight Year

1 day ago

City of Clovis Celebrates Opening of New Letterman Dog Park

The City of Clovis officially opened its second dog park with a ribbon-cutting ceremony on March 22, 2025. The new Letterman Dog Park, spann...

9 hours ago

9 hours ago

City of Clovis Celebrates Opening of New Letterman Dog Park

14 hours ago

Three Killed, 15 Injured in a Shooting at a Park in New Mexico’s Las Cruces

14 hours ago

Pope Francis to Be Released From Hospital Sunday After 5 Weeks Fighting Pneumonia

17 hours ago

3 People Killed in Russian Attacks on Ukraine’s Zaporizhzhia Despite Limited Truce

17 hours ago

Israel Fires on Lebanon After Rocket Attack in Largest Clash Since Truce With Hezbollah

17 hours ago

George Foreman, the Heavyweight Who Became a Beloved Champion, Dies at 76

18 hours ago

America Is Aggravating the World’s Worst Humanitarian Crisis

19 hours ago

Madera Drama Teacher Sees the Arts as a Gateway to Improving Literacy Skills

Help continue the work that gets you the news that matters most.

Search

Send this to a friend