Bengals Restructure Joe Burrow’s Contract to Create $10M in Cap Space

The Cincinnati Bengals have restructured quarterback Joe Burrow‘s contract, creating about $10 million in wage cap house because the crew continues to regulate its roster forward of the 2026 NFL season, in keeping with a number of reviews from ESPN and NFL Network.

The transfer was confirmed by an individual acquainted with the state of affairs who spoke on situation of anonymity as a result of the crew didn’t formally announce the adjustment.

Joe Burrow Contract Adjustment

By restructuring the deal, the Bengals unfold a part of Burrow’s base wage into future years of his contract, serving to them liberate fast monetary flexibility.

Burrow initially signed a five-year, $275 million extension in 2023. The newest adjustment permits Cincinnati to push parts of his wage into the ultimate years of the contract, particularly from 2027 by means of 2029.

While the Bengals might have opened up as a lot as $19.2 million by restructuring extra aggressively, they opted for a smaller adjustment of roughly $10 million, ESPN reported.

The cap house increase comes at a important time for Cincinnati. The crew had solely about $7.1 million in efficient cap room earlier than the restructure and lately made a serious roster transfer by buying and selling for defensive deal with Dexter Lawrence from the New York Giants forward of the NFL Draft.

Bengals Open $10M in Cap Space

Lawrence was additionally signed to a one-year extension value $28 million, including stress on the crew’s monetary planning. Bengals management has already signaled that additional roster strikes and extensions might comply with.

According to AP, a number of key younger gamers from the 2023 draft class—together with Myles Murphy, Chase Brown, Jordan Battle, DJ Turner, and Dax Hill—are anticipated to be thought-about for brand spanking new offers earlier than coaching camp begins.

Burrow, who’s coming into his seventh NFL season, stays the centerpiece of Cincinnati’s long-term plans. The former No. 1 general decide led the Bengals to a Super Bowl look within the 2021 season and an AFC Championship Game the next yr, however the crew has missed the playoffs in every of the previous three seasons.

In 2025, Burrow was restricted by harm after struggling a turf toe subject in Week 2 that saved him out for a lot of the season. He returned late within the yr and completed with 1,809 passing yards, 17 touchdowns, and 5 interceptions, together with three pick-sixes.