Joe Burrow is leading the charge from the front to retain his star players for another season. The quarterback is looking at different approaches to make this happen.
Burrow has found inspiration in the Philadelphia Eagles’ way of managing their salary cap. The QB hints at the way Cincinnati should go forward.
Burrow Talks About the Eagles’ Cap Management
This will be one of the most critical off-season for the Bengals. They have to sign contract extensions for key players Tee Higgins, Ja’Marr Chase, and Trey Hendrickson amongst others.
The Bengals’ front office is under tremendous pressure with only $46 million in salary cap space. Their ability to sign star players to long-term extensions will be a significant factor for the franchise’s future.
Amidst these issues, Burrow made an appearance on the “Pardon My Take” podcast and seemed to praise the Super Bowl champions for effectively managing the salary cap.
“The Eagles are paying everybody,” Burrow said. “That seems like the way. Whatever they’re doing.”
“I mean.. the Eagles are paying everybody.. so that seems like the way. Whatever they’re doing.”
TELL EM, JOE. @BENGALS pic.twitter.com/4ElzfqjdBb
— WINCINNATI (@WINCINNATI_) February 12, 2025
The Eagles’ strategy of deferring payments over the lifetime of the contract allows them to spread the cap space well after the deal ends in some cases too. Burrow has previously asked the Bengals front office to go this route as well.
Burrow led the league in yards and touchdowns securing the AP Comeback Player of the Year honors as well. However, during his appearance on the “Pardon My Take” podcast, the QB highlighted his focus this offseason would be on mobility and preservation.
“I’m getting better at sliding and protecting myself,” he explained. “And I’m getting more agile, so making some more people miss, getting a little faster.”
“I mean more so I practice it walking around. Like, I’ll be walking through a hall or in my house, and I’ll try something like I’m working on a spin move right now.”
Joe Burrow bookended his season with his two worst performances of the year. Week 18 was his worst QB+ of the season, but that doesn’t diminish everything that Burrow did this year.
Burrow and the Cincinnati Bengals’ offense put the team on their back and kept them in the playoff race until the last possible moment.
Unfortunately, Burrow’s Week 18 performance saw his grade drop outside of the A- range, finishing fifth overall with a B+. However, it was still Burrow’s best season of his career, narrowly beating his impressive 2021 season.
At times, Burrow has been mentioned in the MVP conversation, but because Cincinnati finished at just 9-8 and out of the playoffs, that discussion was always going to end before it really started.