Ben BabyESPN staff writer2 minutes to read
CINCINNATI — The Bengals announced the selection of fifth-year quarterback Joe Burrow on Tuesday.
The deal comes ahead of the May 2 deadline for teams to exercise such options for first-round draft picks in the 2020 class. According to OverTheCap.com projections, Burrow’s fifth-year option would net him $29.5 million in fully guaranteed money for 2024.
The move comes as the Bengals and Burrow engage in contract extension discussions for the top overall pick in the 2020 draft.
“This is a mechanical step along the way, and we will continue to work with Joe and his representatives to secure his long-term future as a Bengals,” the team said in a statement.
Since arriving in Cincinnati, the former Heisman Trophy winner and LSU player has been instrumental in turning the franchise’s fortunes around.
In the 2021 season, one year after suffering a season-ending knee injury, Boro helped the Bengals win their first playoff game in over three decades. The Bengals went on to win their first AFC title since 1989 and were unable to secure their first Lombardi Trophy in a 23-20 loss to the Los Angeles Rams in Super Bowl LVI.
Cincinnati lost in the AFC title game in a rematch against the Kansas City Chiefs to end the 2022 season. However, Borough enjoyed its best year in the NFL. Burrow ranked 10th in fourth-quarter total percentage and third in completion percentage above expectations, according to ESPN Stats & Information.
He was named to his first Pro Bowl, which earned him nearly $6.3 million in bonus salary over a fifth-year option.
At an NFL scouting conference in late February, Bengals manager Duke Tobin said the timing of Boro’s extension was still uncertain.
He noted that it could be the first or last deal to be made at a time when the Bengals have such high profile players as wide receiver Tee Higgins and linebacker Logan Wilson eligible for contract extensions.
“Obviously, sooner is better,” Tobin said. “But we’re not going to rush the process. We’re going to try and get the right deal for Joe and the Cincinnati Bengals.”
ESPN’s Jeremy Fowler contributed to this report.
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