Bengals reportedly restructure Joe Burrow's contract to create salary cap space

The Cincinnati Bengals and quarterback Joe Burrow have agreed to restructure his contract to create salary cap space, ESPN and NFL Network report.

The move creates $10 million in cap space, according to the reports. Per Spotrac, the Bengals ranked 27th in the NFL as of Tuesday with roughly $7.9 million in available cap space.

Shortly after the news was reported, theBengals announced that they have signed second-round pick Cashius Howell to his rookie contract. Howell, the No. 41 pick in the draft, is slated for a four-year, $12 million deal, per the NFL’s rookie wage scale. The defensive end is due to make $2.2 million on the first year of his contract.

Play 2026 Soccer Pick 'Em with FOX One and make your picks for the world's biggest soccer tournament

The Bengals were in need of salary cap relief on the heels of April’s blockbuster trade to acquire Pro Bowl defensive tackle Dexter Lawrence from the New York Giants. Lawrence signed a one-year, $28 million extension through the 2028 season upon his arrival to the Bengals. Per Spotrac, he’s scheduled for a $15.3 million salary cap hit for the 2026 season.

Details of Burrow’s contract restructure weren’t reported. Burrow has a five-year, $275 million deal with the Bengals through the 2029 season. Prior to restructuring his deal, he was scheduled for a $48 million cap hit for the 2026 season.

Cincinnati’s acquisition of Lawrence indicates that the Bengals intend to compete in 2026 on the heels of a 6-11 campaign and missing the playoffs for a third straight season. A healthy Burrow, who was limited to eight games in 2025 and 10 games in 2023, will be key to Cincinnati’s hopes of returning to the postseason.