Cincinnati Bengals and Joe Burrow Set NFL Record with Massive Contract Extension

Joe Burrow, the star quarterback of the Cincinnati Bengals, has secured his place in NFL history with a groundbreaking contract extension. In a monumental deal, Burrow and the Bengals have agreed to a five-year, $275 million contract extension, making him the highest-paid player in NFL history, according to sources familiar with the agreement. The details of the contract were disclosed on the condition of anonymity as they were not authorized for public release.

ESPN was the first to report this historic development, which propels Joe Burrow ahead of Los Angeles Chargers quarterback Justin Herbert, who previously held the title of the league’s top-paid player following a five-year, $262.5 million deal in July.

Burrow’s remarkable journey in the NFL has exceeded expectations since he was selected as the No. 1 overall pick in the 2020 NFL draft by the Bengals. He led the team to a Super Bowl 56 appearance and played an instrumental role in their back-to-back AFC North titles over the past two seasons. Furthermore, the Bengals reached the AFC championship game twice during his tenure.

The 26-year-old quarterback boasts impressive statistics, with 11,774 passing yards, 82 touchdowns, and 31 interceptions, resulting in a career passer rating of 100.4. He holds a solid 24-17-1 career regular-season record and an impressive 5-2 record as a postseason starter.

As he enters his fourth season in the league, Burrow has already etched his name in the Bengals’ record books, setting franchise single-season records for passing yards, touchdown passes, pass attempts, and completions.

Joe Burrow and the Bengals are set to kick off the 2023 NFL season against the Cleveland Browns at 1 p.m. ET on Sunday, and expectations are soaring for their high-powered offense, featuring wide receivers Ja’Marr Chase, Tee Higgins, and Tyler Boyd, along with running back Joe Mixon.

Burrow’s rapid rise in the NFL is undeniable. He earned the NFL Comeback Player of the Year award in 2021 and emerged as an MVP candidate in 2022, accumulating 4,475 passing yards and 35 touchdowns while leading the Bengals to an impressive 12-4 record. His exceptional performance earned him his first Pro Bowl invitation.

While the Bengals had previously exercised Burrow’s fifth-year option for the 2024 season, this new contract extension solidifies his long-term commitment to Cincinnati, ensuring he will remain a key figure in the franchise for many years to come.