Burrow becomes highest-paid player with a $275 million Bengals deal

Pro Bowl quarterback Joe Burrow has signed a record-setting five-year, $275 million contract with the Cincinnati Bengals. The contract made him the highest-paid player in the league. This deal also includes $219.01 million in guaranteed money, as reported by ESPN.

The news broke shortly after the NFL’s opening game between the Kansas City Chiefs and the Detroit Lions. While Chiefs’ Patrick Mahomes may be considered the NFL’s top quarterback – a sentiment shared by Burrow himself – Cincinnati is now home to the league’s highest-paid player. This is a significant shift for a team once known for its frugality.

Staying for the long haul

After attending Ohio State, Burrow gained recognition in college football. He played for LSU and achieved a remarkable senior season by winning the Heisman Trophy. He also won the 2020 College Football Playoff National Championship.

The Bengals recognized his talent and selected him as the first overall pick in the 2020 NFL Draft. Although his rookie season was cut short due to an injury, Burrow made an impressive comeback in his second year. He led the Bengals to their first playoff victory since 1990, ending a lengthy postseason drought. He even guided the team to Super Bowl LVI.

Much has changed since the Iowa-born quarterback arrived in Cincinnati in the spring of 2020. After winning just six games in 2019 and 2020, Cincinnati claimed the AFC title two years ago and secured the AFC North title for the past two years. The 26-year-old deserves much credit for this success and remains committed to building on his and his teammates’ achievements in recent years.

Now, Burrow aims to follow in the footsteps of Ken Anderson and Boomer Esiason to win the league MVP title. The quarterback also plans to guide the Bengals to their first Super Bowl victory. Cincinnati has a strong chance this season, with the fifth-best odds to win the Super Bowl according to Caesars Sportsbook. He is also the second-favorite for the league MVP, trailing only behind Mahomes.

With Burrow secured, the Bengals’ next focus is to lock in wide receivers Ja’Marr Chase and Tee Higgins, ensuring the core remains intact for years to come. Chase is entering the third year of his rookie contract, while Higgins is in the final year of his rookie deal.