The Cincinnati Bengals did not want to go into Week 1 without Joe Burrow under contract for the long term.
Burrow did not want the contract talks to loom into the regular season and cause a distraction.
Burrow and the Bengals agreed to a five-year $275 million extension that deal made him the highest-paid player in the NFL.
Burrow talked about what getting this deal done before Week 1 meant for him.
According to Charlie Goldsmith, Burrow said, ” We wanted it done before (Week 1). That was important to me.”
Joe Burrow: "We wanted it done before (Week 1). That was important to me. The last couple weeks, we were in a good place. I had all the faith in the world."
— Charlie Goldsmith (@CharlieG__) September 9, 2023
Now that the deal is done, Burrow can just focus on football.
He has spent the last few weeks recovering from a calf injury, but he is good to go and is expected to play on Sunday.
The Bengals realized shortly after drafting Burrow that he was a franchise player.
In three seasons, Burrow has already accomplished a lot.
He has led the Bengals to the Super Bowl, and the AFC Championship game in the past two years.
He also finished fourth in NFL MVP voting last season.
Burrow was always going to be the highest-paid player in the NFL whenever he signed.
We saw Jalen Hurts, Lamar Jackson, Justin Herbert, and now Burrow all get massive deals.
Having long-term security is something that every NFL player wants and Burrow could be in for a career year.
Anything short of another AFC Title game appearance would be a disappointment in Cincinnati.
NEXT: Joe Burrow Reacts After Signing Massive Deal With Bengals
