Ja’Marr Chase hints Joe Burrow could take pay-cut on next contract for good reason

Cincinnati Bengals wide receiver Ja’Marr Chase hinted that quarterback Joe Burrow could take a pay cut on his upcoming contract extension.

The Cincinnati Bengals fell short of reaching the Super Bowl for the second consecutive year, losing 23-20 to the Kansas City Chiefs in the AFC Championship Game. Even so, the future is still bright for the Bengals with quarterback Joe Burrow leading the way. Reports indicated during the playoffs that the team and Burrow were going to work on a contract extension this offseason. Considering how expensive quarterback contracts can get, fans are wondering how long they can continue to build a contender before having to devote a huge chunk of salary per year for Burrow.

During an appearance on NFL Network on Wednesday, Bengals wide receiver Ja’Marr Chase hinted that Burrow may take a pay cut to allow the team to keep some of the big players around him.

“At the end of the day, I don’t think Joe’s too worried about how much money he’s going to make because he’s already making a tremendous amount,” said Chase. “It will work out for us…I think Joe knows what he wants and how to set up his contract to keep some of his weapons around him. I think that’s the biggest part for him.”

Ja’Marr Chase hints at Joe Burrow taking pay cut on next contract

That would be welcome news for Bengals fans.

When looking at upcoming free agents, wide receiver Tee Higgins is set to become an unrestricted free agent after the 2023 season. As for Chase, he is under contract through the 2025 season if the team exercises his fifth-year option.

NFL Network national insider Ian Rapoport reported that the Bengals are looking to lock-in Burrow to a contract extension. Burrow is entering the fourth year of his rookie contract, with the potential of the team picking up his fifth year option for the 2024 season.

Burrow showed that he can be the team’s quarterback for the foreseeable future. That was evident after he helped lead the Bengals to Super Bowl 56 one year removed from tearing his ACL. Then this season, Burrow brought the team to the AFC Championship Game for the second straight year.

This past season, Burrow threw for 4,475 yards, 35 touchdowns, and 12 interceptions while completing 68.3-percent of his passes.

Bengals fans will be keeping their eyes peeled on any updates on the Burrow contract extension front, especially after Chase’s comments.