Could Joe Burrow emulate Tom Brady’s longevity? Bengals QB estimates how long he has left in the league
Joe Burrow and Tom Brady shared the NFL for only a few years. However, Brady has signed up to watch him for at least the next ten years. Could Burrow play well beyond that? Speaking on Monday's edition of "Pardon My Take," Burrow set a rough expiration date for his career.
“I got a good 15 years left in me. I’ll see how the career plays out until then.” [1:03:50]
Burrow turns 28 this year. If he plays another 15 years from his current age, 27, he will retire at age 42. However, if he plays another 15 years based on his age 28 season, he will retire at age 43.
It will get him within spitting distance of Brady's oldest age as an NFL player. However, he would still fall short of the most accomplished quarterback's age-45 season. That said, depending on when Aaron Rodgers retires, Joe Burrow could pass him to be the second-oldest quarterback of all time. Either way, if he sticks to his timeline, Burrow is set to play until roughly 2040.
Could Joe Burrow's career earnings surpass Tom Brady's earnings?
With nearly the same amount of time in the league as Tom Brady, the next question is whether he could earn more money than him in a roughly similar time frame. Put simply, there are two big factors to consider before jumping into the numbers. First, his contract could potentially run into 2040. As such, general salary inflation is on Burrow's side.
That said, Brady was also notorious for taking less money to help his team's salary cap situation. It will be up to Joe Burrow to do the same. If he does not, he will have a massive leg up on earnings compared to Brady.
With that said, here's a look at the numbers. According to Spotrac, Brady earned $332 million in his 20-year career. Burrow, meanwhile, has earned $76 million. Of course, at first glance, it would seem that the Cincinnati Bengals quarterback is on a slow road to earning the same as Brady. However, $45 million of his $76 million came in 2023, per Spotrac.
Meaning, he could pass Brady in as little as roughly six years if he maintains his current rate. His salary will fluctuate to a certain degree but for roughly the next decade, Joe Burrow could make as much as one-sixth of Brady's career earnings every season.
It isn't a case of whether Ja'Marr Chase's quarterback will earn more, it is when assuming he doesn't hit a brick wall in his production and fall off a cliff. Will Burrow pass Brady's earnings before 2030?
If you use any of the above quotes, please credit "Pardon My Take," and H/T Sportskeeda.