'That seems like the way' — Joe Burrow's admiration for the Eagles doubles as an indictment on the Bengals
It didn't matter what program Joe Burrow appeared on last week. Every set of questions he faced involved how the Cincinnati Bengals are going to pay Burrow's star teammates this offseason. Big Cat and PFT Commenter, the hosts of Pardon My Take, took it down an interesting path with Burrow. What started out as a discussion […]
It didn't matter what program Joe Burrow appeared on last week. Every set of questions he faced involved how the Cincinnati Bengals are going to pay Burrow's star teammates this offseason.
Big Cat and PFT Commenter, the hosts of Pardon My Take, took it down an interesting path with Burrow. What started out as a discussion about how a contract restructure works turned into a general conversation about the NFL salary cap.
And Burrow himself had some thoughts on the matter.
Joe Burrow talks salary cap, Eagles' business model
Big Cat and PFT continued the topic by saying they don't believe the cap exists, a common saying amongst NFL fans considering select clubs manipulate the cap in ways others don't. The Bengals are firmly in the group of teams that don't get flexible with the cap, which is why their franchise quarterback is dealing with questions about whether or not his teammates will get paid.
Burrow revealed his recognizes this discrepancy as well.
"Well, definitely some teams seem to make it feel that way," Burrow said.
The hosts then used the New Orleans Saints as an example of what teams Burrow could've been referring to. The Saints have had to push money into future years to become cap compliant for several consecutive offseasons. Burrow name-dropped another team that was much more relevant during Super Bowl week.
"The Eagles are paying everybody," Burrow said. "So that seems like the way, whatever they're doing."
This interview was recorded a few days before the Philadelphia Eagles blew the doors off the Kansas City Chiefs in Super Bowl LIX. Philadelphia famously has QB Jalen Hurts under a contract not too far off from what Burrow signed, is paying two of his receivers at least $25 million per year, and still had money to lure Saquon Barkley in last offseason.
All to win a Super Bowl. Sounds like an formula worth emulating for Burrow's team, no?
It shouldn't make the Bengals feel great when the face of their franchise is openly envious about how the now champions conduct business and pay their players. If Philadelphia can make it work, there's no known reason why Cincinnati can't follow suit.
The Eagles push large cap hits down the road while guaranteeing money up front to make room for the best possible roster in the current day. The Bengals' best players take up significantly more cap space in comparison by doing essentially the opposite. Their way of structuring contracts is why pessimism exists for them to extend Ja'Marr Chase and Trey Hendrickson while also re-signing Tee Higgins.
It's becoming the worst-kept secret in Cincinnati sports, and Burrow knows it too.
Check out Burrow's full interview on Pardon My Take below:
Joe Burrow reiterates what he’s been preaching for two months, and this could be the last time he speaks on it
Burrow let his voice be heard during a segment on ESPN’s First Take.
