Bengals QB Joe Burrow not rushed on contract extension: 'It gets done when it gets done'

In just three years, Joe Burrow has already established himself as a key part of the NFL's bright future under center.

In the last two, Cincinnati transformed from a hopeful to a legitimate force in the AFC, reaching Super Bowl LVI and coming painfully short from making a return trip last season. None of this could be accomplished without Burrow, Cincinnati's most valuable and most important piece of its franchise.

He'll be paid accordingly soon enough -- just not right now.

"It gets done when it gets done," Burrow said when asked for an estimation of when he might sign a long-term extension. "We'll see."

Burrow has certainly earned a lucrative, market-resetting extension. After suffering a season-ending knee injury during his rookie season, Burrow earned NFL Comeback Player of the Year honors in 2021 on his way to an AFC title and narrow loss to the Los Angeles Rams in Super Bowl LVI, and he finished fourth in NFL MVP voting in 2022 while leading the Bengals to an AFC North title and an appearance in the AFC Championship Game.

The Bengals -- a franchise that previously relied on the likes of Carson Palmer and Andy Dalton -- will go as Burrow goes.

Tuesday's agreement between the Los Angeles Chargers and quarterback Justin Herbert on a five-year, $262.5 million extension officially set the target for Burrow's representation in their dealings with the Bengals. When the time comes to put pen to paper, it's fair to expect Burrow's extension will exceed Herbert's in value.

Having said that, Burrow told reporters Wednesday he isn't paying attention to the contracts other quarterbacks have signed elsewhere.

"No, not particularly," Burrow said. "I'm focused on getting a deal done that's good for us, good for me, good for the team, good