Bengals insider on Joe Burrow contract extension: 'The end appears near'

Bengals QB Joe Burrow is about to become the highest-paid quarterback in the NFL after leading his team to back-to-back AFC title games and a Super Bowl appearance. One insider shed some light on where the contract negotiations stand.

"The end appears near on the contract extension that will likely make him the highest-paid player in NFL history (for now)," Bengals insider Mike Petraglia said. "With parents in town, now would be a great time for Bengals to announce before the opener."

If that is the case, Cincinnati only has a few days left to reach an agreement before the team heads to Cleveland in Week 1. However, both sides seem committed to making it happen.

"This is where I want to be my whole career. We're working towards making that happen," Burrow told reporters on Wednesday. "I'm excited to be a part of that. We have great people in the locker room."

Burrow's calf injury he suffered at the beginning stages of training camp likely played a role in delaying a contract extension, but now that he's back to practicing and likely playing in Week 1, there are no excuses.

Chargers QB Justin Herbert is the current record holder after signing a $262.5M deal that pays him $52.5M per year. So, it's likely Burrow's deal will be at least $265M, which is $53M per year.

Burrow has said that he wants the Bengals to be able to pay wide receivers Ja'Marr Chase and Tee Higgins. But it would be surprising if the 26-year-old turns down a record-break deal entering the prime of his career.

Only time will tell, but the clock is certainly ticking if Cincinnati's goal is to have Burrow locked up before the start of the 2023 season.