Cincinnati Bengals quarterback Joe Burrow (9) watches drills during the NFL football team's practice in Cincinnati, Tuesday, June 9, 2026. (AP Photo/Carolyn Kaster)

The Cincinnati Bengals have restructured the contract of franchise quarterback Joe Burrow, a person familiar with the move told The Associated Press on Tuesday.

The person spoke to the AP on condition of anonymity because the move was not announced.

The restructured deal was first reported by ESPN and NFL Network.

Cincinnati gains around $10 million in cap space by spreading out some of his base salary over the final three years of the deal (2027 through ’29). Burrow signed a five-year, $275-million extension in 2023.

The Bengals found themselves low on cap space after acquiring defensive tackle Dexter Lawrence from the New York Giants before the NFL draft and signing him to a one-year extension worth $28 million.

Cincinnati is also trying to get some of its key players from its 2023 draft class still under rookie deal signed to extensions before the start of training camp. That group includes DE Myles Murphy, RB Chase Brown, and defensive backs Jordan Battle, DJ Turner and Dax Hill.

Burrow, the top overall pick in the 2023 draft, is going into his seventh season.

Burrow played in only eight games last season. He suffered a turf toe injury in a Week 2 win over Jacksonville and was out until late November. He threw for 1,809 yards with 17 touchdowns and five interceptions.

Preserve McCaffrey

Perhaps the only person around the San Francisco 49ers not worried about the heavy workload All-Pro Christian McCaffrey handled last season is McCaffrey himself.

Kyle Shanahan and the rest of the coaching staff have expressed a need to reduce McCaffrey’s usage after his 450-touch campaign, but McCaffrey doesn’t see a need for load management. McCaffrey said his workload can be monitored in practice and that he would like to play every snap in games. But the 49ers are counting on youngsters Jordan James and Kaelon Black to take pressure off McCaffrey to keep him healthy.

Retiring Browns OL

Joel Bitonio has announced his retirement after 12 seasons with the Cleveland Browns.

The offensive guard played his entire career in Cleveland after he was selected in the second round of the 2014 draft. Bitonio said in a statement released through the team that he was fairly confident he was going to retire at the end of last season.

However, he was still coming into the team facility during the offseason to rehab from injuries. Bitonio started all 17 games last season and played 1,027 offensive snaps. His 178 games are ninth in franchise history. Bitonio was a two-time All-Pro pick and selected seven times for the Pro Bowl.

Ram lineman in trouble

LOS ANGELES — Los Angeles Rams left tackle Alaric Jackson has been arrested on suspicion of felony domestic violence. The Los Angeles Police Department says Jackson was arrested at his home in the San Fernando Valley after a dispute with a woman.

He allegedly attempted to take a phone away from the woman when he thought he was being recorded, and the woman had scratches on her arm.

Jackson has been the Rams’ starting left tackle for the past three seasons. The former undrafted free agent re-signed with the Rams on a three-year, $57 million deal in February 2025.

Sneed returning

KANSAS CITY, Mo. — The Chiefs and L’Jarius Sneed are reuniting on a one-year, $5 million contract.

Sneed returns to Kansas City after an injury-plagued stint with the Titans. The Chiefs opened their three-day mandatory minicamp Tuesday. Sneed was a fourth-round pick in 2020.

He quickly became a starter and helped win two Super Bowls. He was traded to the Titans in 2024 due to salary cap issues. Injuries limited him to 12 games over two seasons there. The Titans released him in March.

London staying put

Drake London has become one of the highest-paid receivers in the NFL after signing a four-year, $141 million contract extension with the Atlanta Falcons.

On Tuesday, he said he’s focused on proving his worth. London aims to raise his standards and lead the team. The 6-foot-5 receiver from Southern California has led the Falcons in receiving yards in three of his four seasons.

This season, Michael Penix Jr. and Tua Tagovailoa are competing for the starting quarterback role. London feels confident about both players. The team also is adjusting to a new system under head coach Kevin Stefanski.

“I know it’s a lot of money, and I’ve got to prove it still. That’s what my mindset is right now,” London said. “Raising my standard in every single category there is, becoming a player who’s more consistent.”