Earlier this week, Los Angeles Chargers quarterback Justin Herbert received quite the bag in the form of a five-year, $262.5 million contract extension.
It is the latest humongous contract awarded to an NFL star, and these contracts have reset the market across the league, especially for QBs and wide receivers.
Cincinnati Bengals signal-caller Joe Burrow is up for a contract extension of his own, and he is currently in negotiations with the front office to come to terms on one.
NFL insider Adam Schefter feels Burrow will not only receive a gigantic bag but will also become the highest-paid player in league history, via NFL on ESPN.
The Brinks truck is already on its way to Cincinnati for Joe Burrow? 💰🤑
“Joe Burrow is expected to become the highest paid player in NFL history. … I can promise you the numbers are gonna be well north of [Justin Herbert’s].” —@AdamSchefter pic.twitter.com/9gLhDSdXp4
— NFL on ESPN (@ESPNNFL) July 26, 2023
One may think that Herbert’s new deal will make Burrow feel a sense of urgency to get his own deal done faster, especially now that training camps are fully open across the nation.
However, he has made it clear that a new deal will get done when the time is right.
Burrow is one of the game’s best signal-callers, and over the last couple of years, he has transformed the long-suffering Bengals into a championship contender.
They reached the Super Bowl in February 2022, only to narrowly lose to the Los Angeles Rams, making it their third loss in the big game in as many appearances.
Once Burrow gets his bag, the focus will shift to star wide receiver Ja’Marr Chase, who will be up for an extension of his own not long from now.
With the way the market has exploded, new deals for Burrow and Chase could necessitate Cincinnati letting a few of their other best players leave in free agency, which would affect their chances of winning it all past this season.
NEXT:
Joe Burrow Makes Clear Statement On His Contract Negotiations