Bengals exercise star quarterback Joe Burrow's fifth-year option

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The Cincinnati Bengals have opted to pick up the fifth-year option for Pro Bowl quarterback Joe Burrow, the team announced Tuesday.

NFL teams had until May 2 to decide whether they would exercise the options on rookie contracts for first-round draft picks.

Cincinnati is widely expected to sign the 2020 No. 1 overall draft selection to a long-term contract extension in the near future. 

The team described Tuesday's decision as "mechanical step" in the process. 

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Joe Burrow of the Cincinnati Bengals warms up before a preseason game against the Arizona Cardinals at Paycor Stadium Aug. 12, 2022, in Cincinnati. (Dylan Buell/Getty Images)

"This is a mechanical step along the way and we will continue to work with Joe and his representatives to secure his long-term future as a Bengals," the Bengals said in a statement.

Burrow won a College Football Playoff national championship in his final season at LSU. Since entering the NFL, he has helped reverse the Bengals' fortunes and has lifted the team to back-to-back AFC Championship game appearances. 

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He suffered a devastating knee injury during his rookie campaign but bounced back in 2021 by helping the Bengals advance to the 2022 Super Bowl.. Prior to Burrow's arrival, Cincinnati had not won a postseason game in over 30 years.

Burrow is expected to make a fully-guaranteed $29.5 million salary for 2024, according to projections by OverTheCap.com.

Joe Burrow (9) of the Cincinnati Bengals scrambles against the New York Jets at MetLife Stadium Sept. 25, 2022 in East