In contract negotiations, Joe Burrow thinks about teammates

The Bengals quarterback aims to keep the club’s core intact for as many years as possible

CINCINNATI — Los Angeles quarterback Cincinnati Bengals, Joe Burrowremained mum regarding his ongoing contract negotiations.

But, he did clarify some points this Tuesday, in his first session available to the media since the end of the 2022 campaign. Cincinnati knows exactly what he’s looking for in his next deal, one that could make him the highest-paid player in league history.

While going through negotiations with the Bengals, Burrow He said he is considering teammates who could also receive contract extensions of their own.

“Whenever there are guys on the team that need to be paid, you always have that in mind,” he said. Burrow. “You want that to be the focal point. We’re working to make that happen.”

Burrow made his comments a day after the Bengals The second phase of the seasonal break work will begin. Many of the team’s projected starters, including wide receivers Tee Higgins y Ja’Marr Chasewere present at the organization’s indoor practice complex.

Higginsthe team’s second-round pick at the 2020 NFL Draft, you are also eligible for an extension, at the time your campaign letter begins. The former star of Clemson He amassed 3,028 receiving yards in his first three seasons.

The receiver denied rumors that surfaced online that there was an agreed contract. He added that comments from Burrow they indicate what has been discussed privately between them: the quarterback wants to keep the core intact for as many years as possible.

“We talked about staying together for the long term,” he said. Higgins. “Hopefully we can do it and have something negotiated where they can hold all three of us.”

Chase, 2021 Offensive Rookie of the Year for The Associated Press and twice elected to Pro Bowlhighlighted that the comments of Burrow they illustrate the kind of quarterback he is.

“He knows what he needs to do to win and he wants to win,” he noted. Chase, who will not be eligible for a new contract until the next offseason. “He’s a winning guy. He’s not a quarterback who’s always interested in money and all that stuff. He just wants to win, and that’s the most important thing about him.” Joe.”

Los Bengals they have earned quite a bit since they selected Burrow with the first global shift in the 2020 NFL Draft. After a knee injury ended his rookie season early, Burrow was named the Comeback of the Year of the league in 2021. Cincinnati won its first playoff game since January 1991 and reached the Super Bowl for the first time in 33 seasons, losing to Los Angeles Rams in it Super Bowl LVI.

A loss to the Kansas City Chiefs in it AFC Championship Game past prevented Cincinnati to return to the biggest game in the NFL. In the 23-20 defeat against the eventual champions of the Super Bowl, Higgins y Chase combined for 14 of the 26 passes he completed Burrow and 158 receiving yards with a touchdown.

“You have to have good players”, explained Burrow when asked if that meeting was an example of why he keeps them in mind. “It doesn’t matter how good your quarterback is. If you don’t have good players around him, you’re not going to have a very good team.”