Joe Burrow ‘closes in on deal to become the highest-paid NFL player of ALL-TIME’… with Bengals ‘optimistic’ they are nearing contract agreement

The Bengals and star quarterback Joe Burrow are reportedly nearing a contract extension that is set to make him the highest-paid player in NFL history.

According to a report in The Athletic, there is a sense of optimism in Cincinnati that a deal may be completed within the next few days.

‘Both Burrow and the Bengals have kept major information from leaking, but based on my discussions, there’s optimism in the building and in the locker room that a deal could get done over the next few days,’ said reporter Diana Russini. 

Burrow is currently set to enter the fourth year of his rookie contract, which was preallotted to be a four-year $36.19 million deal that includes the customary fifth-year-option for first round picks. This season he is set to make $11.5 million under the deal.

If Burrow were to end up playing on the fifth-year-option next season he would earn $29.5 million, although there is currently no word on what his salary would be on a potential new contract.

Burrow’s extension may surpass the one signed by Justin Herbert for the NFL’s highest salary 

Chances are strong, however, that Burrow’s eventual new contract will net him an average salary of at least $40 million to put him in the top 10 for average salaries – and it is projected to be even higher to land him at No 1 in the list.

If Burrow wants to fully capitalize on his value rather than save the team money to allocate to other players on the team his contract may end up breaking $50 million, much like the recent contracts of Jalen Hurts, Lamar Jackson, and Justin Herbert.

Herbert was taken only five picks after Burrow in the 2020 NFL Draft and currently holds the highest average salary of any player in the league at $52million.

Burrow has been recovering from a calf injury suffered in training camp but recently returned

Burrow has been recovering from a calf injury he suffered at the start of training camp but recently was a full participant as the Bengals have prepared for the opening game against the AFC North rival Cleveland Browns.

Russini also noted that even though he has been dealing with an injury throughout the contract negotiations there is no risk of him missing time on the field if he does not have an extension before Week 1’s game.

‘Joe is a competitor. He’s not missing a game against the Browns. Not worried about the contract,’ Russini’s source said.

Last season Burrow threw for 4,475 yards, 35 touchdowns, and 12 interceptions. Throughout his three-year career to this point he has recorded a total of 11,774 yards, 82 touchdowns, and 31 interceptions.