Joe Burrow’s record-breaking contract extension has sent shockwaves through the NFL world. According to ESPN Senior NFL Insider Adam Schefter, the Cincinnati Bengals’ star quarterback has agreed to a jaw-dropping five-year, $275 million deal. This historic contract makes Burrow the highest-paid player in NFL history, boasting an average annual salary of $55 million, reports Bengals.com.
The negotiations for this massive deal were masterminded by Bengals executive vice president Katie Blackburn and Burrow’s representative, Brian Ayrault. It comes on the heels of other lucrative quarterback contracts, such as Justin Herbert’s $52.5 million yearly deal with the Los Angeles Chargers and Lamar Jackson’s $52 million per year with the Baltimore Ravens. Notably, Burrow joins Herbert and the Philadelphia Eagles’ Jalen Hurts as the trio of $50 million quarterbacks selected in the 2020 draft class. Remarkably, this agreement also harks back to 17 years ago when Blackburn secured a contract that made Carson Palmer the NFL’s highest-paid player at the time.
Burrow, affectionately known by various nicknames like “Joey Franchise,” “Joe Cool,” and “Joe Shiesty,” among others, has achieved remarkable success in his young career. His charismatic leadership and stellar passing abilities, which earned him the Heisman Trophy during LSU’s unbeaten season in 2019, have propelled the Bengals to new heights. Hailing from Athens, Ohio, Burrow has become a fan favorite and is celebrated for his record-breaking 68.2% completion percentage. He has led the Bengals to the AFC Championship Games and AFC North titles over the last two seasons.
Speaking at a Paycor Stadium news conference, Burrow expressed his commitment to Cincinnati, saying, “This is where I want to be. This is where I want to be my whole career.” He praised the team’s dedicated locker room and the passionate fans, making it clear that he sees a long future with the Bengals.
Burrow’s arrival coincided with Zac Taylor taking over as head coach, and their partnership has been a game-changer for the franchise. Together, they have secured five postseason victories, the most in the AFC North over the past decade.
Coach Taylor shared his admiration for Burrow, stating, “He’s not a superstar in the NFL. He’s a superstar in all sports. He’s just so genuine.” Taylor highlighted Burrow’s work ethic and genuine character, emphasizing the positive impact he has had on the team.
In just 42 NFL starts, Burrow has rewritten the Bengals’ record books. He broke records for yards in a game, yards in a season, and passer rating, setting a new standard for the franchise. Burrow is also one of the fastest quarterbacks in history to reach 75 career touchdown passes and 11,000 career passing yards.
Burrow’s unwavering commitment to Cincinnati aligns with the team’s long-term vision, and with this historic contract, he has solidified his place in NFL history. Mike Brown, Bengals’ president, known for his keen eye for quarterbacks, has recognized Burrow’s exceptional talent from the start. Former Bengals great and NFL analyst Boomer Esiason also praised Burrow, describing him as a “can’t-miss prospect” who has exceeded all expectations.
In the words of Esiason, “Joe Burrow is a can’t-miss prospect. We knew coming out of LSU he was going to be a superstar. I have to say that he has exceeded every expectation that I had for him coming into the league.” With this monumental contract, the Bengals have made a bold statement about their belief in Burrow’s ability to lead them to future championships.
