The Bengals curiously announced Joe Burrow’s massive contract extension right as the Chiefs’ season started

The Bengals-Chiefs rivalry might have just grown a little spicier.

Joe Burrow is a top-five NFL quarterback and one of the biggest names in pro football. And on Thursday night, according to ESPN’s Adam Schefter, the Cincinnati Bengals gave him a huge contract extension, with $219 million guaranteed over five years. But that’s probably not the most notable revelation about Burrow’s new lavish bank account.

That’s because the Bengals announced Burrow’s extension at just about the exact time the rival Kansas City Chiefs began their 2023 NFL season opener at home — a.k.a. “Banner Night” for the defending Super Bowl champions.

Of course, this could be a coincidence.

Late Thursday might just be when the final details were ironed out in Burrow’s deal. But given the intensity between two AFC heavyweights over the last couple of years, the timing appears way too fishy. It’s almost as if the Bengals were trying to undercut the Chiefs’ thunder of having the honor of opening the season as the reigning champs.

“Burrowhead” was a big deal during last year’s playoffs, stirring a lot of animosity between both squads. I certainly wouldn’t put it past the Bengals to try and take attention away from the Chiefs when they can. And I bet there will be more potential episodes like this in the future.