Photo Credit: Sam Greene / USA TODAY NETWORK via Imagn Images
The Cincinnati Bengals have locked in their top two wide receivers for the long haul. Ja’Marr Chase and Tee Higgins confirmed on Sunday that they’ve agreed to contract extensions. Chase inked a four-year, $161 million deal with $112 million guaranteed, while Higgins signed a four-year, $115 million contract, guaranteed for the first two years. Chase’s deal sets a new NFL record for the highest average annual salary for a non-quarterback at $40.25 million per year.
Ending Lengthy Negotiations
The agreements put an end to years of negotiations. Quarterback Joe Burrow, who pushed for both players to be paid, now has his top targets secured.
“We have several guys like [Chase] who take the initiative for us and earn every dollar,” Burrow said during the Pro Bowl Games in January. “They deserve to receive compensation that reflects their true value.”
Chase’s Historic Season
Chase, who turned 25 on March 1, is coming off a historic season. He became just the fifth player since the 1970 AFL-NFL merger to win the receiving triple crown, leading the league in receptions (127), receiving yards (1,708), and touchdowns (17).
Higgins’ Impact Despite Injuries
Higgins, 26, battled injuries last season but remained productive. He ranked 10th in receiving yards per game (75.9) and scored 10 touchdowns in 12 games, according to ESPN Research.
Franchise Tag Drama Resolved
Both players were under team control for the upcoming season. Chase was entering the final year of his rookie contract, while the Bengals placed the franchise tag on Higgins for the second straight year.
Higgins requested a trade after the first tag but ultimately played the season under it. Meanwhile, Chase staged a “hold-in” during training camp, refusing to participate in team activities before reaching an agreement just ahead of Week 1.
Bengals Reward Players for Future Performance
Bengals director of player personnel Duke Tobin emphasized the team’s focus on rewarding players for future contributions, not just past success.
“We’re paying guys for what they’re going to give us,” Tobin explained at the NFL Combine in February.”We’re not just paying guys for what they’ve already done.”
Tobin also made it clear that the Bengals aimed to give Chase a historic contract. Chase’s deal surpasses the $40 million per year contract signed by Browns defensive end Myles Garrett, which briefly held the non-quarterback record.
No Hard Feelings After Rocky Negotiations
Despite reports that Chase felt misled during initial negotiations, any tension between him and the team has been resolved. Bengals head coach Zac Taylor praised Chase for his selflessness and patience.
“Ja’Marr does a great job of not just spewing answers that he doesn’t think through because he wants the ball,” Taylor said at the NFL Combine. “There’re times he said, ‘Hey, man, everything else we’re doing is working, and I’m just going to keep doing my thing over here, even though I haven’t received a lot of touches.’ But it’s our job to put him in a position to get touches early in every single game.”
Bengals Eye Return to Contention
Last season, Cincinnati’s offense ranked among the league’s best, finishing eighth in points per drive, sixth in touchdowns per drive, and fourth in touchdowns per pass attempt. However, the team missed the playoffs for the second straight year after making back-to-back AFC Championship Game appearances in 2021 and 2022, including a Super Bowl berth in Chase’s rookie season.
With Chase and Higgins locked in, the Bengals now have the firepower to reclaim their status as Super Bowl contenders.
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This report used information from ESPN.
