Bengals pick up fifth-year option on Burrow

Cincinnati working on contract extension for franchise QB
Cincinnati Bengals quarterback Joe Burrow calls an audible against the Kansas City Chiefs during the first half of the NFL AFC Championship playoff football game, Sunday, Jan. 29, 2023, in Kansas City, Mo. (AP Photo/Jeff Roberson)

Credit: Jeff Roberson

Credit: Jeff Roberson

Cincinnati Bengals quarterback Joe Burrow calls an audible against the Kansas City Chiefs during the first half of the NFL AFC Championship playoff football game, Sunday, Jan. 29, 2023, in Kansas City, Mo. (AP Photo/Jeff Roberson)
Sports
By Laurel Pfahler – Contributing Writer
April 25, 2023
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In the first step toward an expected big contract extension for Joe Burrow, the Cincinnati Bengals have picked up the fifth-year option on the quarterback’s rookie deal, according to reports.

Burrow, the No. 1 overall pick from the 2020 draft, is entering the final season of his rookie contract, but the Bengals have made clear securing his long-term future with the organization is a priority. The former LSU standout was the 2021 NFL Comeback Player of the Year after returning from a 2020 ACL year to help lead the Bengals to Super Bowl LVI.

Cincinnati made a similar move with a fifth-year option around this time last year with 2019 first-round pick and left tackle Jonah Williams, who has since struggled with knee injuries and is being supplanted by free agent addition Orlando Brown. The fifth-year option is a benefit for first-round picks.

Williams is on a much different path than Burrow, though.

Most are expecting “Joey Franchise” to become one of the highest-paid quarterbacks in the league. Philadelphia last week gave Jalen Hurts a five-year, $255 million extension.

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About the Author

Laurel Pfahler