Joe Burrow sends clear message to Bengals with comment about Eagles

Quarterback Joe Burrow wants the Cincinnati Bengals to stop being frugal and start spending.

In a Wednesday episode of Barstool Sports' "Pardon My Take," Burrow praised the Philadelphia Eagles — who recently crushed the Kansas City Chiefs 40-22 in Super Bowl LIX — for splurging in free agency. 

"The Eagles are paying everybody," Burrow said. "That seems like the way to go, whatever they're doing."

Burrow's comment seems like a dig at the Bengals, who have recently refused to spend in free agency. According to Spotrac, the Bengals ranked 25th ($61.75M) in the league in free-agency spending in 2024. 

The Eagles, meanwhile, were 11th ($142.93M), and some of these signings helped Philadelphia win its second Super Bowl. Running back Saquon Barkley — who signed a three-year, $37.75M deal — rushed for 2,005 yards in 16 regular-season games, winning Offensive Player of the Year. 

In 2024, Burrow led the league in touchdown passes (43 in 17 starts) and wide receiver Ja'Marr Chase finished first in TD catches (17 in 17 games). Meanwhile, Cincinnati edge-rusher Trey Hendrickson had the league's most sacks (17.5 in 17 games). Still, the Bengals missed the playoffs for a second straight season.

Cincinnati must fill its roster holes — specifically its secondary — to avoid missing the postseason again. And the Bengals must re-sign their core pieces.

WR Tee Higgins is an unrestricted free agent, and Chase is entering the last year of his rookie contract. Hendrickson — who has one year left on his contract — has told ESPN's Pat McAfee he wants a new deal.

Burrow said he's willing to revise his contract (five years, $275M) to keep the team together. 

"You could convert some of the money to a signing bonus, which will lower the cap hit," Burrow said. "You can push some of the money back to the end of the contract that lowers the cap hit." 

If the Bengals don't do this, that would make little sense. They could risk losing some of their best players and upsetting their franchise QB.