Bengals blinked for Joe Burrow
Bengals quarterback Joe Burrow made his feelings known. And the Bengals have wisely blinked.
A team with a longstanding reputation of being extremely careful with money has prioritized the pursuit of a silver trophy over the hoarding of its gold, thanks to the public pressure Burrow has placed on the team.
His remarks, during the non-Pro Bowl Pro Bowl and through a series of Super Bowl-week visits with the likes of SiriusXM NFL Radio, Breakfast Ball podcast and Pardon My Take, made his position clear. If the Eagles can pay more players than their quarterback, the Bengals can do it, too.
Left unsaid was Burrow's unmistakable message: "Or else."
The "or else" didn't need to be said. The Bengals lived it, 14 years ago. That's when former franchise quarterback Carson Palmer decided he'd had enough because, as he'd later explain, the organization was more concerned about making money than winning games.
It wasn't enough for the Bengals to give Burrow a market-level deal. Burrow, like most great quarterbacks, wants to build his legacy through the accumulation of hardware. And with several high-end performers other than himself on the team, he wanted them to stick around.
He mentioned, at one point, believing the team could, and should, keep receiver Ja'Marr Chase, receiver Tee Higgins, defensive end Trey Hendrickson, and tight end Mike Gesicki. Three have now signed multi-year deals. Hendrickson is the last man standing.
Even though the Bengals have allowed Hendrickson to seek a trade, their goal (we're told) was to let Hendrickson see that other teams won't pay a 30-year-old pass rusher well over $30 million per year. The thinking is that he could eventually come back and accept Cincinnati's current offer, perhaps with a slight sweetener.
Regardless, the Bengals faced a gigantic fork in the road. And despite their history of choosing the path of least expensiveness, they've opted this time around for the road less traveled. Which had been less traveled by the Bengals because the tolls are much higher.
Few who have paid close attention to the league over the past 20 years expected it. It's dramatically out of character. And it happened because Burrow made it clear that he wanted it.
What he didn't need to say was that, if they didn't do it, it was just a matter of time before he, like Palmer, would be choosing the road right out of Cincinnati.
Topics
-
How Joe Burrow forced the Bengals to break the bank on new contracts for Ja'Marr Chase and Tee Higgins
Burrow made it clear what he wanted and the organization got it doneCBS Sports - 18m -
Chase, Higgins reach extensions with Bengals. AP source says Chase will be NFL's highest-paid non-QB
The Cincinnati Bengals have agreed to four-year extensions with receivers Ja'Marr Chase and Tee Higgins, assuring that Joe Burrow will have his top two targets with him for some time. A person ...Yahoo Sports - 10h -
Chase, Higgins reach extensions with Bengals. Chase will be NFL’s highest-paid non-QB, AP source says
The Cincinnati Bengals have agreed to four-year extensions with receivers Ja’Marr Chase and Tee Higgins, assuring that Joe Burrow will have his top two targets with him for some time.NBC News - 9h -
Reactions: Bengals' Ja'Marr Chase, Tee Higgins contract extensions done
The Bengals are keeping their talented offensive trio of quarterback Joe Burrow and receivers Ja'Marr Chase and Tee Higgins intact.Yahoo Sports - 10h -
Former LSU football star Ja'Marr Chase signs historic contract extension
Ja'Marr Chase signed a record-setting contract extension with the Cincinnati Bengals, keeping him with former LSU teammate Joe BurrowYahoo Sports - 2h -
New York Giants host QB Joe Flacco on free agent visit
The New York Giants hosted veteran quarterback Joe Flacco in East Rutherford on Thursday for a free agent visit.Yahoo Sports - 3d -
Bengals reach extension with Ja'Marr Chase and Tee Higgins. Source says Chase will be highest-paid non-QB in NFL history
Bengals reach extension with Ja'Marr Chase and Tee Higgins. Source says Chase will be highest-paid non-QB in NFL historyABC News - 10h -
For the teams still look for starters, Joe Flacco becomes a viable option
As a quartet of teams in need of veteran quarterbacks consider options that include a couple of Super Bowl-winning quarterbacks who were once the highest-paid players in the NFL, a third one who ...Yahoo Sports - 1d -
Intriguing former Bengals player cut, heads to free agency
Should the Bengals have an interest in a reunion?Yahoo Sports - 1d
More from Yahoo Sports
-
How does Scotland's top-six race look with three games to go?
Eight teams can still clinch one of four remaining places in the Scottish Premiership's top six with three games left before the split, but what are their chances?Yahoo Sports - 8m -
Jameis Winston to visit with Giants on Tuesday
As the Giants await Aaron Rodgers' decision, they're going to host another free-agent quarterback.Yahoo Sports - 9m -
McIlroy beats Spaun in play-off to win Players
Rory McIlroy beats JJ Spaun in a three-hole play-off to win his second Players Championship title at Sawgrass.Yahoo Sports - 10m -
Ferguson is inspiring Rangers players, says Diomande
Mohamed Diomande says Barry Ferguson is proving an inspirational figure after the Rangers interim boss guided his side to a first win at Celtic Park in five years. Ferguson's men booked a Europa ...Yahoo Sports - 11m -
FAU's Final Four team reunites in the NCAA Tournament after players, coach scattered
The group chat that includes Nick Boyd, Johnell Davis and Alijah Martin was buzzing Sunday night. The former Florida Atlantic starters — now scattered across the country and playing for other ...Yahoo Sports - 12m
More in Sports
-
How does Scotland's top-six race look with three games to go?
Eight teams can still clinch one of four remaining places in the Scottish Premiership's top six with three games left before the split, but what are their chances?Yahoo Sports - 8m -
Jameis Winston to visit with Giants on Tuesday
As the Giants await Aaron Rodgers' decision, they're going to host another free-agent quarterback.Yahoo Sports - 9m -
McIlroy beats Spaun in play-off to win Players
Rory McIlroy beats JJ Spaun in a three-hole play-off to win his second Players Championship title at Sawgrass.Yahoo Sports - 10m -
Ferguson is inspiring Rangers players, says Diomande
Mohamed Diomande says Barry Ferguson is proving an inspirational figure after the Rangers interim boss guided his side to a first win at Celtic Park in five years. Ferguson's men booked a Europa ...Yahoo Sports - 11m -
FAU's Final Four team reunites in the NCAA Tournament after players, coach scattered
The group chat that includes Nick Boyd, Johnell Davis and Alijah Martin was buzzing Sunday night. The former Florida Atlantic starters — now scattered across the country and playing for other ...Yahoo Sports - 12m