Joe Burrow: towards a contract never seen in the NFL?

As the 2023 NFL offseason heats up, discussions and negotiations around player contracts are making headlines.

The spotlight, however, is on Cincinnati Bengals quarterback Joe Burrow. With two years left on his current deal, the 26-year-old is seeking a long-term extension, a move that could potentially position him as the league’s highest-paid player.

What sets Burrow’s contract negotiation apart is not just the number that is likely to be etched into the deal, but also the proposed structure of the deal. Sports commentator Mike Florio recently proposed a new concept that could see Burrow’s salary tied to the NFL’s salary cap – a move that is both unprecedented and potentially game-changing.

In a discussion on the Pat McAfee Show, Florio suggested that Burrow could sign a contract that pays him a fixed percentage of the NFL salary cap, rather than a static annual salary. This innovative structure could allow Burrow to benefit from the growing financial health of the league. The concept, although simple, is revolutionary.

« I get 16 cents of every dollar, regardless of the cap, » Florio explained, noting how the new model could work not just for Burrow, but other star quarterbacks as well.

This type of contract could change the dynamic of NFL negotiations. It aligns the player’s income with league success and assures the player a fair share of growing profits. Additionally, it could also provide a solution to the ongoing challenge of maintaining a balanced and competitive team composition.

Rather than negotiating salaries and adjusting cap space with each contract, teams could assign a fixed percentage to their star player.

However, not everyone is thrilled with the idea. The NFL has traditionally resisted such changes, and a cap-based contract certainly falls into uncharted territory. However, Florio thinks Bengals owner Mike Brown could be the perfect maverick to disrupt the status quo. Known for his contrarian approach, Brown might be the one to embrace this new concept.

« If anyone’s going to do it, it’s going to be Joe Burrow, and if any owner is going to do it, it’s going to be Mike Brown, who’s been this annoying thing that’s going to do the thing the league doesn’t want him to do, and the league doesn’t want teams to do that,” Florio said.

Indeed, if Burrow and Brown accept a contract based on a salary cap, it could establish a new paradigm for star players in the NFL. The ripple effect could revolutionize the way contracts are negotiated and players are compensated. Of course, this bold step could also come with unforeseen challenges and resistance from the league.

As Florio concluded his discussion with McAfee, he left us with a thought that is sure to dominate NFL discourse for months to come: “Let’s not talk about dollars. Let’s talk about 16%. »