Justin Herbert Reported to Be Blocking Joe Burrow’s $260,000,000 Dreams of Walking in Lamar Jackson’s Shadow

This offseason has seen big money being splashed by teams in the NFL. With the new season slowly crawling in, fans have witnessed two QBs receiving the highest contracts in NFL history. Jalen Hurts went on to sign a $255 million 5-year extension with the Philadelphia Eagles after his spectacular performance during the Super Bowl LVII showdown against the Kansas City Chiefs. And following in his footsteps, the Baltimore Ravens were also successful in finally negotiating with their QB Lamar Jackson after months of stalemate. Jackson has gone on to sign a 5-year $260 million deal, making him the highest-paid player in NFL history currently.

And as these two players celebrate inking such lucrative deals, Cincinnati Bengals Joe Burrow is next in line to finalize a new extension with his team ahead of the beginning of the 2023 season. But it seems like there is an obstacle in him acquiring a deal like Jackson’s $260 million extension. And that obstacle stands in the form of Los Angels Chargers QB, Justin Herbert. 

Justin Herbert’s negotiations could influence the contract of Joe Burrow

Joe Burrow has been a key player in turning the fortunes of the Bengals after being drafted first overall in the 2020 NFL draft. In his second season with the Bengals, he helped them climb from the bottom of the NFL standings to the top. This makes him arguably one of the top five QBs in the league at the moment. And the Bengals are now looking forward to finalizing an extension with the 26-year-old this offseason.

According to an article by A to Z Sports, it states that the Bengals are sure to retain Burrow as their QB for the future as well. But according to The Athletic’s Paul Dehner, “outside forces” are the reason why the deal is not yet finalized. In other words, the team along with Burrow’s agent are waiting for the Charges to finalize their deal with Justin Herbert. After Herbert signs his contract, it would allow the Bengals to finalize a deal that pays Joe Burrow higher than the Chargers QB, while also making sure they also have the necessary salary and cap space to surround their QB with more talents on the field. 

Read more: Five Highest Paid NFL Quarterbacks Below the Age of 30

While both QBs have a fifth-year option that runs through the 2024 season, their deals should be finalized within this offseason. 

Is Herbert and Burrow’s contract saga coming to an end?

Speaking about his contract situation before the start of training camp in late July, Justin Herbert talked about how being there for his team is a responsibility that he wishes to fulfill regardless of his contract negotiations. Speaking to Chargers insider Daniel Popper, Herbert said, “When it comes time for camp, the role of a quarterback is to be out there for his team and to do everything he can to put that team in a position to win. I understand that responsibility.” The Chargers have already picked up his fifth-year option worth $29.5 million, but they are still sure to negotiate a new extension and pay their QB. The details of both Herber and Burrow’s contract extensions are unsure. But they may be similar to the five-year deal that Jalen Hurts and Lamar Jackson received earlier in the offseason. 

Once Herbert’s deal is finalized, it will be interesting to see how the Bengals then further go on to negotiate a final extension with their QB1, who looks to lead the team to glory in the NFL in the coming days ahead.

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