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Follow the Money: Joe Burrow vs. Ja’Marr Chase

Last Updated: February 14, 2022
Let’s talk contract details, statistical production, and the overall story so far from dual Cincinnati Bengals phenoms Joe Burrow and Ja’Marr Chase as they enter Super Bowl LVI.

Are these guys supposed to be here? Well, if your answer is no, Cincinnati Bengals twin wonder boys — second-year quarterback Joe Burrow and rookie wide receiver Ja’Marr Chase — can’t wait to prove you wrong.

Entering the season facing more question marks than hype, these two former LSU Tigers teammates went ahead and re-upped the partnership that propelled them to a College Football Playoff National Championship, scoring a series of high-flying wins on the way to an AFC North title.

And now, after a thrilling coup of a victory over the fearsome Kansas City Chiefs in walk-off fashion, only one more win stands between these two and a Super Bowl title that would be the first ever in Bengals franchise history.

That’s a lot to have accomplished so early in two respective careers. With that in mind, let’s take a closer look at Joe Burrow and Ja’Marr Chase and the value they create on the field.

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All dollar figures via Spotrac.

Joe Burrow’s Contract Details & Salary

Contract length: 4 years
Total value: $36,190,137
Total signing bonus: $23,880,100
Average annual value: $9,047,534
2021 salary: $2,255,006
Free agency: 2025

In the regular season, Burrow threw 34 touchdowns. Based on his salary, that’s $66,323.71 per score.

Tom Brady, who led the league in passing TDs with 43, got paid $29,420,588, or$684,199.72 per TD pass.

Rams gunslinger Matthew Stafford, Burrow’s opponent in Super Bowl LVI, threw 41 at a salary of $20,000,000. That’s $487,804.88 per TD pass.

Click here to go deeper on Matthew Stafford’s contract value.

Ja’Marr Chase’s Salary & Contract Details

Contract length: 4 years
Total value: $30,819,641
Total signing bonus: $19,774,284
Average annual value: $7,704,910
2021 salary: $20,434,284
Free agency: 2026

Did you know Ja’Marr Chase is actually No. 2 highest-paid wide receiver in the NFL this season by total compensation? Such is the case with the biggest rookie contracts when signing bonuses hit hard in year one.

His 13 receiving TDs in the regular season at a salary of $20,434,284 amounted to $1,571,538.46 per TD.

Compare that to Seattle’s Tyler Lockett, the NFL’s highest-paid 2021 wideout, who logged eight receiving TD at $21,000,000, or $2,625,000 per score.

And his Super Bowl counterpart, Rams gamebreaker and NFL Offensive Player of the Year Cooper Kupp? Well, he hauled in 16 scores for $13,000,000, or $812,500 per TD — but if the only guy you’re chasing is a record-setting winner of the wide receiver “Triple Crown,” you’ve had yourself an amazing rookie year.

Click here to go deeper on Cooper Kupp’s contract value.

Chase and Burrow’s Career Accomplishments

Ja’Marr Chase’s Stats & Accolades

Age: 21
Drafted: 2021, No. 5 overall
Regular season games: 17
Receptions: 81
Yards: 1,453
Receiving TDs: 13

2019 Biletnikoff Award

2019-20 College Football Playoff National Championship

2021 Pro Bowl
2021 Second Team All-Pro

Two-time AFC Offensive Player of the Week in 2021 (Week 7, Week 17)

Current betting favorite for 2021 NFL Offensive Rookie of the Year

Joe Burrow’s Stats & Accolades

Age: 25
Drafted: 2020, No. 1 overall
Regular season games: 26
AttemptsCompletions: 630-924 (68.2%)
Passing yards: 7,299
Passing TDs: 47
Rushing TDs: 5

2019 Heisman Trophy
2019 AP Player of the Year
2019 Maxwell Award
2019 Walter Camp Award
2019 Davey O’Brien Award

2019-20 College Football Playoff National Championship

Led NFL in completion percentage in 2021

Two-time AFC Offensive Player of the Week in 2021 (Week 4, Week 16)

For two players whose combined age (46) is barely older than Tom Brady (44), Ja’Marr Chase and Joe Burrow have already accomplished an impressive amount on the football field. And at their current pace, there may not be a limit on what’s possible as one of football’s most immutable double acts.

EDITOR’S NOTE: A previous version of this story originally published on Jan. 30, 2022.

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Sam Dunn

Sam Dunn is the Managing Editor of Boardroom. Before joining the team, he was an editor and multimedia talent for several sports and culture verticals at Minute Media and an editor, reporter, and site manager at SB Nation. A specialist in content strategy, copywriting, and SEO, he has additionally worked as a digital consultant in the corporate services, retail, and tech industries. He cannot be expected to be impartial on any matter regarding the Florida Gators or Atlanta Braves. Follow him on Twitter @RealFakeSamDunn.

About The Author
Sam Dunn
Sam Dunn
Sam Dunn is the Managing Editor of Boardroom. Before joining the team, he was an editor and multimedia talent for several sports and culture verticals at Minute Media and an editor, reporter, and site manager at SB Nation. A specialist in content strategy, copywriting, and SEO, he has additionally worked as a digital consultant in the corporate services, retail, and tech industries. He cannot be expected to be impartial on any matter regarding the Florida Gators or Atlanta Braves. Follow him on Twitter @RealFakeSamDunn.