Multiple reports indicate the Cincinnati Bengals generated $10 million in salary cap room for the upcoming season by restructuring their Pro Bowl quarterback Joe Burrow’s contract, according to Tuesday reports.
The restructuring moved the Bengals from having just $7.1 million in effective cap room—among the lowest in the league—to a middle-of-the-pack position, reports stated. The team had the option to free up as much as $19.2 million by converting Burrow’s full base salary into a bonus, according to the same reports.
On Tuesday, the organization announced that second-round draft selection Cashius Howell, a defensive end from Texas A&M, has signed his rookie deal, completing contracts for all seven of the Bengals’ draft picks.
In September 2023, Burrow inked a five-year, $275 million contract extension that included $219 million in guaranteed money, according to reports from that time.
The 29-year-old quarterback has expressed approval of the Bengals’ unusual activity in free agency and major trades following their 6-11 record and third consecutive season without a playoff appearance in 2025.
“We’re going to go win a lot of games this year and play great and win a Super Bowl,” Burrow stated to reporters following a voluntary workout last month.
Cincinnati brought in former Kansas City Chiefs safety Bryan Cook on a three-year, $40.25 million contract and acquired former Seattle Seahawks edge rusher Boye Mafe with a three-year, $60 million agreement. The organization also secured former Minnesota Vikings defensive tackle Jonathan Allen on a two-year, $25 million contract.
The defensive unit received another significant upgrade when the Bengals traded their 10th overall selection in April’s NFL draft to the New York Giants for three-time All-Pro defensive tackle Dexter Lawrence, who then signed a one-year, $28 million extension covering the 2028 season after the trade.
The Bengals selected Burrow as the first overall choice in the 2020 NFL Draft from LSU.
Burrow has earned three Pro Bowl honors, including in 2025 when he completed 66.8% of his throws for 1,809 yards, 17 touchdowns and five interceptions across just eight games (all starts) due to a turf toe injury.
Throughout his career, he has started all 77 regular-season contests he has appeared in, posting an NFL-record 68.5% completion rate for 20,810 yards, 157 touchdowns and 51 interceptions. In postseason play, Burrow has accumulated 1,826 passing yards, nine touchdowns and four interceptions over seven playoff appearances.
He earned NFL Comeback Player of the Year honors in both 2021 and 2024.
