Bengals’ Joe Burrow talks contract extension after recent deals

Cincinnati Bengals quarterback Joe Burrow seems in no rush to sign what likely will be a historic contract extension after other signal-callers inked mega-deals this offseason. 

“It gets done when it gets done,” Burrow told reporters on Wednesday, per Myles Simmons of Pro Football Talk. “We’ll see.” 

After Jalen Hurts of the Philadelphia Eagles and Baltimore Ravens star Lamar Jackson reset the market this spring, it was thought Burrow and Los Angeles Chargers starter Justin Herbert were waiting for each other to be next in line. 

The situation changed when it was learned on Tuesday that Herbert and the Chargers had agreed to a five-year, $262.5M extension that temporarily makes him the highest-paid quarterback in the NFL as it pertains to average salary.

Back in May, Burrow noted he wanted to eventually sign a contract that “is best for myself and the team” as the Bengals look to also pay the likes of wide receivers Tee Higgins and Ja’Marr Chase. The 26-year-old echoed that take on Wednesday. 

“I’m focused on getting a deal done that’s good for us, good for me, good for the team, good for everybody,” Burrow said about possibly comparing whatever he earns to agreements signed by other quarterbacks. 

Burrow, the first overall pick of the 2020 NFL Draft, is widely regarded as one of the best players in the NFL and has already guided the Bengals to a Super Bowl appearance and back-to-back conference title games. 

According to ESPN stats, he ended the 2022 regular season tied for second in the league with 35 passing touchdowns, and he was ranked sixth among qualified players with a 100.8 passer rating and fifth with 4,475 yards through the air. 

While “Joe Cool” understands he’s about to come into generational wealth, he also lived up to one of his many nicknames when discussing his inevitable extension. 

“The goal when you get into the league is get a second contract and play well on your first one,” he explained. “But I’ve played well, I’ve done everything I can do. So, when that happens, it happens.”

Whenever it does happen, expect the Kansas City Chiefs to once again reward Patrick Mahomes with a raise that still may not match his value to his club considering all he’s achieved ahead of his 28th birthday.