As if we needed another reminder that Joe Burrow has completely altered the trajectory of the Cincinnati Bengals’ franchise, the twin extensions of Ja’Marr Chase and Tee Higgins landing late Sunday night serves as another fine example. The Bengals now have the highest-paid nonquarterback in NFL history, alongside the highest-paid wide receiver two in NFL history. This comes not long after having made Burrow the highest-paid quarterback in NFL history.
I’ve seen this written as the Bengals kowtowing to their star quarterback, though I view it as kind of a mutual admiration. Burrow has had every opportunity to push the Bengals away, be it during the predraft process when he could have tried to stage an Eli Manning, when he was slaughtered his rookie season behind a patchwork offensive line, during his own contract negotiations or as the pressing need for Chase and Higgins extensions became more apparent. Instead, there’s been a kind of quiet, forceful dignity to it all, with the franchise responding in kind. Burrow has never made the Bengals feel like a second-class franchise, and so the Bengals, for once, are treating Burrow like a first-class quarterback.
