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In a move that surprised no one, the Cincinnati Bengals have exercised the fifth-year option on quarterback Joe Burrow’s contract, according to NFL Network’s Ian Rapoport.
This means that Burrow will remain under contract with the team through the 2024 season, and will earn a salary of $29.5 million if a long-term extension is not reached before then.
Burrow’s performance over the past two seasons has been nothing short of exceptional. Since 2021, he threw for 9,086 yards and 13 69 total touchdowns. He was also named the NFL’s Comeback Player of The Year in 2021.
In recognition of his outstanding play, Burrow was named a Pro Bowler and finished fourth in the MVP voting in 2022. He also cemented his place as one of the most exciting young quarterbacks in the league, with his ability to make plays both with his arm and his legs.
The Bengals’ decision to exercise Burrow’s fifth-year option was expected, but the team is also reportedly working on a long-term extension for the quarterback. If they are unable to come to an agreement, Burrow will still be one of the highest-paid players in the league on the fifth-year option.
Meanwhile, the quarterback market has been heating up in recent weeks. Jalen Hurts of the Philadelphia Eagles signed a new contract that made him the highest-paid player in NFL history on a per-year basis, with an average salary of $51 million. However, the deal includes only $110 million in fully guaranteed money at the point of signing, meaning that it is not quite as lucrative as it may seem.
With Burrow now locked in for at least the next two seasons, the Bengals can focus on building around him and continuing to improve as a team. If he can continue to play at the level he has shown over the past two years, the Bengals could be a force to be reckoned with in the AFC for years to come.