Rapoport: 'My Guess Is' Joe Burrow's Next Bengals Contract Resets NFL QB Market

The Cincinnati Bengals' immediate focus is on trying to reach the Super Bowl, but this offseason will also be the first time they can negotiate a long-term extension with Joe Burrow.

Appearing on The Pat McAfee Show, NFL Network's Ian Rapoport suggested Burrow's extension will "reset" the quarterback market.

It would be more surprising if Burrow didn't reset the market. The nature of quarterback contracts is such that whoever the next top-level player is will usually get the richest deal.

ESPN's Jeremy Fowler reported earlier this week that Burrow and Justin Herbert are expected to sign deals that surpass the $50.3 million per season Aaron Rodgers got from the Green Bay Packers last offseason.

Patrick Mahomes is the highest-paid quarterback in the NFL by total value with a $450 million deal over 10 years. His extension with the Kansas City Chiefs is an outlier because of its length. Josh Allen is the only other quarterback with a deal longer than five years.

The quarterback market this offseason will be fascinating because of how much Deshaun Watson's five-year, $230 million deal, which is fully guaranteed, impacts other players at the position.

Watson's deal was believed to be one of the key sticking points in Lamar Jackson's negotiations with the Baltimore Ravens. The 2019 NFL MVP is set to become a free agent this offseason, though it would be a surprise if the Ravens didn't use the franchise tag to extend their negotiating window.

Burrow doesn't have the benefit of free agency to increase his leverage, but he's more than proven his immense value to the Bengals since being drafted No. 1 overall in 2020. The 26-year-old has one more guaranteed year left on his rookie deal, plus a team option for 2024 that can be picked up this offseason.

The 2019 Heisman Trophy winner has thrown for 11,774 yards and 82 touchdowns with a 68.2 completion percentage in 42 starts over the past three seasons. He led the Bengals to their first Super Bowl appearance in 33 years last season.

Cincinnati's 12-4 record this season was its best since 2015. The team is one win away from getting back to the Super Bowl for the second consecutive year.