“We got a lot. We got what we wanted. They got what they wanted. I’m going to be here for a long time. That’s the most important thing.” Joe Burrow said when he signed that flashy five-year, $275 million extension a couple of years ago. His reasoning then was clear: back-to-back winning seasons, a Super Bowl run, and his top two wideouts, Ja’Marr Chase and Tee Higgins, lined up for big paydays. Fast forward, and the picture has shifted. Burrow is still in his prime, and the 2024 season proved that with a league-best 4918 yards and 43 touchdowns. However, even those numbers couldn’t propel Cincinnati into the postseason, and at the center of the Bengals‘ ongoing issues is the same old injury bug that just won’t stop biting. On Sunday, Burrow went down with turf toe and could reportedly be sidelined for at least three months if he needs surgery, which has now dredged up certain interesting details of that very contract.

It’s the third time in just six NFL seasons that Burrow will miss time due to an injury, which naturally makes you wonder: If the injury issues keep piling up, could the Bengals take a drastic measure? Burrow’s five-year deal locks him down through the 2029 season. The bigger picture, though? Through 2027, Burrow is locked in pretty safely. If he gets hurt (which he currently is), the Bengals still owe him about $107.75 million, per Spotrac.

Out of that, about $89 million is already fully guaranteed, no matter what. But it’s the last couple of seasons on his deal that can actually flip the narrative in Cincinnati. The 2028 and 2029 seasons are different. That’s $91 million with zero guarantees.

That’s where the big conversation begins. If Burrow remains healthy in the forthcoming seasons and plays at an elite level, Cincy will surely keep him, and he’ll earn that $91 million. Which, if we’re being real, makes sense, given that the 28-year-old is their franchise quarterback.

But if injuries keep piling up or his play drops off, the Bengals can cut ties after the 2027 season, and they don’t have to pay him that $91 million. Of course, it’s unlikely for the Bengals to take this drastic measure after the 2027 season. But it’s injury complications we’re talking about when it comes to Joe Burrow. Nothing is certain. Anything could happen.

Joe Burrow’s injury could hinder the Bengals’ 2025 season

Joe Burrow hurt his toe in the Week 2 game against the Jaguars. Here’s how things went down on Sunday: the 28-year-old quarterback suffered an injury in the second quarter when the Jaguars’ Arik Armstead sacked him. The QB stayed on the turf, the trainers rushed in, one thing led to another, and online reports now claim that Burrow has suffered a Grade 3 turf toe that will require surgery.

And if Burrow requires to go under the knife to repair his toe, he’ll be sidelined for at least three months. Taken all together, let’s just say this long-term injury will cost the Bengals dearly. The odds for the Bengals to win the Super Bowl this season have been bruised after Burrow’s injury. If the chatter carries any weight, the Bengals dropped from +2500 to +3500 to hoist the Lombardi in February next year.

For the time being, the Bengals sit at +5000 to win the Super Bowl. Sure, they’ve started 2-0. And of course, the backup quarterback, Jake Browning, led the Bengals to a 31-27 win over Jacksonville. But without Burrow under the center (without an elite defense as well), their 2025 run could hit a serious snag. That, too, after failing to secure a postseason berth in the 2024 season. While it’s clear that Burrow will miss the Week 3 game, we now wait for Burrow’s return timeline.