Cincinnati Bengals quarterback Joe Burrow entered the 2025 season as one of the NFL’s highest-paid players, armed with a record-setting $275 million contract. But with his recent injury sidelining him for most of the season, questions have resurfaced about the true value of his deal and how much the Bengals are committing to their franchise star.
What Is Joe Burrow’s Contract And Salary?
Burrow signed a record-setting five-year, $275 million deal with the Bengals in September 2023, which included $219.01 million guaranteed. The deal made him the highest-paid quarterback in history, and he held the title for nearly a year before Dallas Cowboys quarterback Dak Prescott ($60 million annually) overtook him in September 2024, with $231 million in guaranteed money.
Burrow’s $55 million annually is tied with the following players for the second-highest-paid: Green Bay Packers QB Jordan Love, Jacksonville Jaguars QB Trevor Lawrence, and Buffalo Bills QB Josh Allen ($55 million).
In 2025, Burrow’s base salary is $25.2 million, accompanied by an $8 million signing bonus and a cap hit of $ 33.2 million. Here is a breakdown of Burrow’s salary and cap hit each year:
- 2025: $25,250,000 ($46,004,509)
- 2026: $25,250,000 ($47,999,784)
- 2027: $27,250,000 ($51,999,784)
- 2028: $35,500,000 ($53,249,78)
- 2029: $48,039,018 ($57,452,672)
Burrow’s durability has been a lingering concern since he signed the blockbuster deal, partly because the Bengals have failed to protect him well. In 2023, he played only 10 games before a torn ligament in Week 11 ended his season, finishing with a 5–5 record as the starter.
The following year, he managed to stay on the field but delivered an uneven campaign, going 9–8 as the Bengals once again missed the playoffs.
Still, his upside is undeniable. At his best, Burrow was firmly in the MVP conversation, finishing No. 5 in PFSN’s QB+ metric. He tied for the league lead in total touchdowns (45) and topped the NFL in both passing touchdowns (43) and passing yards (4,918), proving he can play at an elite level when healthy.
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The Bengals showed their faith in him entering 2025, committing resources to bolster both the offense and defense around their franchise cornerstone. But fate struck again in Week 2, when Burrow suffered a toe injury that is expected to sideline him for at least three months, leaving Cincinnati to once again navigate life without its star quarterback.
Burrow Net Worth
Burrow’s net worth is estimated to be $50 million, but this feels a bit low given his monster contract and NFL career earnings.
Heading into Week 13 of the 2025 NFL season, Burrow has earned $177,186,972 from his NFL contracts alone, and this figure does not include his various endorsement deals.
He reportedly earns approximately $4 million each year from his various endorsements, including partnerships with Nike, Nerf, Guinness, Cash App, BodyArmor Sports Drink, Bose, Kroger Health, and Buffalo Wild Wings, among others.
Burrow has also made some investments, including a 104-acre farm in northern Iowa. He is part of an investment group called Patricof Co, which also features NBA stars Blake Griffin and Khris Middleton. The group contributed roughly $5 million toward various agriculture investments, including purchasing the farm (which specializes in corn and soy production).
Other investments include the food brand Kodiak and an ownership stake in the Columbus Fury of the Pro Volleyball Federation. His parents, Jimmy and Robin, are also blue-chip investors in the league.
With record-setting NFL earnings, a growing endorsement portfolio, and smart investments off the field, Burrow’s wealth is set to climb well beyond current estimates in the years ahead.
Cincinnati Bengals’ Insights for Week 13
Team: This is the Bengals’ second time playing on Thanksgiving. They lost to the Jets in 2010.
QB: Joe Burrow had a 72.8 (C-) QBi in Week 1 and a 79.6 (C+) in Week 2 to start the season. Joe Flacco recorded B- grades in two of his first four games with the Bengals, but has graded at D+ the last two weeks.
Offense: The Bengals have scored a total of 32 points in the last three games after scoring at least 33 points in each of the previous three games.
Defense: Cincinnati recorded the team’s second-best DEFi in Week 12, which was 75.5 (C). The highest score was a 76.9 (C) in Week 1 against the Browns. The Bengals ranked 32nd in DEFi for the season.
Fantasy: With Ja’Marr Chase suspended last week, Andrei Iosivas led the Bengals in routes run. Tee Higgins is out this week with a concussion. The Ravens allow the ninth most fantasy points per game to wide receivers.