Bengals' Joe Burrow addresses contract extension talks

Star quarterback Joe Burrow confirmed Tuesday that a contract extension with the Cincinnati Bengals is "in the works" ahead of the summer months. 

"That's not really something that I like to play out in the media," Burrow explained, as shared by Eric Edholm of the NFL's website. "Just the way I think they want to do business, I want to do business, we prefer to keep that between us."

The Bengals exercised the fifth-year option attached to Burrow's rookie contract last month and said at that time doing so was "a mechanical step along the way" toward locking the 26-year-old down via a long-term agreement. 

Similar to Los Angeles Chargers quarterback Justin Herbert, Burrow likely has become more expensive now that Philadelphia Eagles signal-caller Jalen Hurts and Lamar Jackson of the Baltimore Ravens have their new deals. 

Hurts reportedly received a five-year extension worth up to $255M with $179.3M guaranteed, while Jackson got a five-year, $260M deal with $185M guaranteed. Per Edholm and Myles Simmons of Pro Football Talk, Burrow indicated Tuesday he hasn't spoken with other quarterbacks about their negotiations. 

"I'm pretty clear on what I want in the contract and what I think is best for myself and the team," Burrow said. "So we're on the road to making that happen."

Burrow is viewed by many as a future Most Valuable Player and already has competed in two conference title games and a Super Bowl. According to ESPN stats, he ended this past season tied for second in the NFL with 35 passing touchdowns, fifth with 4,475 passing yards, sixth among qualified players with a 100.8 passer rating and 10th with a 58.7 adjusted QBR.

"I think I had my best year last year," Burrow added. "I think I've improved every year, and [there's] still a lot of room to grow. There's always room to improve every offseason, every game, every week. You just try to find a way to get better every year."

Burrow's camp theoretically could wait for Herbert to potentially reset the market at the position since the first overall pick of the 2020 NFL Draft is the more proven of the two quarterbacks. Then again, Burrow suggested with his comments he knows exactly what he wants from his second contract regardless of Herbert's next deal.