The Cincinnati Bengals and Joe Burrow don’t have a major reason to rush the extension this summer.
Both sides have already confirmed talks are underway, although it has always felt like a mid-training camp thing. For the Bengals, the assured complicated structure of the deal and how it fits with all the other moves they want to do means taking things slow.
Similar story for Burrow on most fronts, although he and his reps might want to wait until the Los Angeles Chargers and Justin Herbert do an extension, too.
That’s something Paul Dehner Jr. of The Athletic agreed with recently:
I do think waiting for Herbert is part of the holdup. The idea of Burrow making less than Herbert is silly given what each has accomplished. He should wait. That’s likely a final piece of the puzzle that clears the deck for all sides to feel comfortable about the market upon signing.
It’s all semantics, despite it making sense. Burrow should be paid higher than Hebert, even if it’s just by the slightest amount. That’s a logic that applies to the idea Burrow will technically be the “highest-paid player in the NFL” when an extension happens, at least until the next quarterback contract occurs.
In other words, keep a close eye on Herbert’s situation and expect something for Burrow pretty quickly if the deal out West happens first.
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Story originally appeared on Bengals Wire