The elite NFL quarterbacks appear to be earning back-to-back blockbuster deals following their immense contributions to their respective teams. The Los Angeles Chargers Justin Herbert is the latest individual who shocked many in the NFL world with his latest contract with the franchise.
However, the Cincinnati Bengals Joe Burrow was also in the run with Herbert as both quarterbacks were waiting on the other to sign so they could top the new deal, per ProFootballTalk. Now, after Hetbert’s deal, the speculation about Burrow becoming No. 1 among the highest-paid QBs is increasing. After leading the Bengals to a Super Bowl after the 2021 season, the franchise would also likely be looking to return the favor to their dual threat.
Chargers secure Herbert’s future with a monumental contract extension
On Tuesday, Herbert and the Chargers agreed to a blockbuster five-year, $262.5 million extension, $218 million in guaranteed money where $133.7 million is fully guaranteed and $193.7 million is for the injury guarantee. He would be pocketing $100 million in the first year of the contract, eclipsing his early high of $80 million.
QB1 of 1. pic.twitter.com/FHThjfQ05n
— Los Angeles Chargers (@chargers) July 25, 2023
By inking this contact, the signal-caller becomes the NFL’s highest-paid quarterback in terms of annual salary as he is going to earn an average annual value (AAV) of $52.5 million per season, surpassing the $260 million, five-year extension ($52 million average) the Baltimore Ravens Lamar Jackson. His $218.7 million guaranteed money is second to the fully guaranteed $230 million deal for the Cleveland Browns’ Deshaun Watson.
Joe Burrow’s contract talks intensify after Herbert’s record-breaking extension
First, Hurts became the highest-paid QB in terms of average annual value in league history ($51 million) after signing a five-year, $255 million extension with the Philadelphia Eagles, though he could keep the title for only 10 days as Jackson replaced him quickly after the Ravens deal. Likewise, Lamar had been successful in keeping the title for 89 days before leaving it to Herbert.
Following the Chargers’ QB deal, Adam Schefter again raised Burrow’s trade speculation saying the Bengals would do something before the season to match Herbert’s deal,
“I think by the time the season starts, the Cincinnati Bengals and Joe Burrow will figure out a way to bridge their differences and they will produce what then will be the highest paying annual average salary contract in NFL history. I can promise you, the numbers [on Burrow’s contract] are going to be well north of the numbers that came in on Justin Herbert.”
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
However, the Bengals executives didn’t spill the beans about the contract negotiations with their football prodigy and his agent, Bryan Ayrault at their annual media luncheon earlier in the week. The franchise’s president Mike Brown said he was “boun’ not to discuss the deal on that occasion.
Cincy’s fourth-year veteran also stayed tight-lipped about any potential contract details after the team’s first training camp practice.
“I’m focused on getting a deal done that’s good for us, good for me, good for the team, and good for everybody. It gets done when it gets done”, he said.
As the Bengals chase a third straight AFC North title, it remains to be seen if they approach the 26-year-old with a deal that makes him the highest-paid QB. Besides Burrow, some fans also seem to demand a lucrative deal for the Kansas City Chiefs’ two-time MVP Patrick Mahomes after leading them to two Super Bowls in the last four seasons.
