The Cincinnati Bengals open training camp this week and they will do so with their prized possession locked in at quarterback.
Joe Burrow, the No. 1 pick in April’s 2020 NFL Draft, has agreed to a deal with Cincinnati to the tune of four years and $36.1 million. In addition, the franchise quarterback is due a $23.88 million signing bonus to be paid in full within 15 days of signing.
The deal is pending a physical this week which should not be a complication as Burrow has been working out consistently during the entirety of the offseason.
Tamaurice “Tee” Higgins is the lone remaining pick still unsigned by Cincinnati. He was drafted 33rd overall in April and thus his agent may be seeking first-round compensation for the star wide receiver. Nevertheless, it is widely expected that Higgins will also ink his contract in the next couple of days as the team hopes to begin getting players into meetings and on the field this week.
Burrow led the LSU Tigers to the National Championship in his last collegiate season and took home the Heisman Trophy for good measure. He totaled 60 touchdowns to just six interceptions in what has been regarded by most as the greatest season in college football history.
In Cincinnati, he is united with a bevy of weapons including star running back Joe Mixon and wide receivers A.J. Green, Tyler Boyd, John Ross, Auden Tate, and Higgins. Burrow has already spent several days working with Ross on the field and has had some contact with all his receivers thus far.
The Bengals hope that an explosive offense (some of which is tailored specifically to Burrow’s strengths) along with a revamped defense will aid in an a turnaround for the franchise after a 2-14 season a year ago.
With no preseason in 2020 and several COVID-19 restrictions, Burrow will be adjusting on the fly after being thrown into the NFL fray right from the jump.
