The Cincinnati Bengals have agreed to terms with Joe Burrow on a new contract, making him the highest-paid player in the NFL.

The Cincinnati Bengals can plan longer-term with their quarterback. According to coinciding US media reports, Joe Burrow has agreed with the team on a contract extension of five years and 275 million US dollars. The contract includes a guaranteed sum of 219.01 million dollars.

The employment deal thus includes a salary averaging $55 million per year, making Burrow the highest-paid player in NFL history. The franchise and player had spent months negotiating the contract.

On Wednesday, Burrow spoke to reporters for the first time since straining his right calf in late July and reiterated his desire to spend his long-term future with the Bengals. “That’s the place I want to be,” Burrow said.

“That’s the place I want to be my whole career. We’re working to make that happen. You’ve seen what the front office has done and what Zac has done in his time here. I’m a small part of that. I’m excited to be a part of it. “

Burrow’s deal was finalised after other top NFL quarterbacks received new contracts. In late July, Los Angeles Chargers quarterback Justin Herbert signed a five-year deal that averages $52.5 million per year.

Burrow replaces Herbert as highest-paid player

Jalen Hurts of the Philadelphia Eagles and Lamar Jackson of the Baltimore Ravens also signed lucrative extensions that briefly made them the highest-paid players.

In 2019, the Bengals were the worst team in the NFL, finishing the season with two wins. This was the most unsuccessful performance in franchise history, but put them in position to draft Burrow, who led LSU to the national college championship and won the Heisman Trophy.