March 14, 2025
According to Ian Rapoport of the NFL, the Cincinnati Bengals have made "significant progress on massive contract extensions" regarding wide receivers
Ja'Marr Chase and
Tee Higgins. Per Rapoport, both players could have new contracts over the coming days. Quarterback
Joe Burrow has advocated not splitting up the star wideouts, and he could get his wish granted in short order. Cincinnati has already franchise-tagged Higgins twice, so their only option is to pay, trade, or let him walk. More so, they've put off signing Chase to the bank-breaking deal he's deservedly owed as the price tag continues to rise after his stellar triple-crown winning 2024. It'd be an excellent move for the Bengals. However, the trick lies in not financially handicapping themselves for years to come. Rapoport notes there is still work to be done, but the ramifications of this situation only stand to benefit the team for the time being.
--Alex CiullaSource: Ian Rapoport
March 2, 2025
The Athletic's Dianna Russini reports that while the Cincinnati Bengals have made an offer to All-Pro wide receiver
Ja'Marr Chase, the two sides remain far apart in extension talks for now. Chase is fully expected to reset the non-QB market after he and the Bengals were unable to agree on an extension before the start of the 2024 season, but Cincinnati appears to be prioritizing an extension with
Tee Higgins first this offseason. Cincinnati is trying to keep all three of Chase, Higgins and defensive end Trey Hendrickson, but if they can't get deals done with all three, Hendrickson is most likely to be the odd man out. The 25-year-old Chase had the league's receiving Triple Crown in 2024 by leading the NFL in catches (127), receiving yards (1,708) and receiving touchdowns (17), making him deserving of being the highest-paid non-QB. He'll be the first receiver off the board in the first round in 2025 fantasy drafts.
--Keith Hernandez - RotoBallerSource: The Athletic - Dianna Russini
February 25, 2025
Cincinnati Bengals lead executive Duke Tobin said on Tuesday that wide receiver
Ja'Marr Chase will become the highest-paid non-quarterback in the NFL this offseason. "We're there, let's get it done… signed contract that's what needs to happen," Tobin said. The Bengals couldn't get an extension done with the 24-year-old All-Pro pass-catcher before the start of the regular season, but that won't happen this year. Chase deserves a raise and should pass Vikings wideout
Justin Jefferson ($35 million average salary per year) as the highest-paid non-QB in the league this offseason after he came away with the receiving Triple Crown in 2024 by leading the NFL in catches (127), receiving yards (1,708) and touchdowns (17) in 17 games played. The four-time Pro Bowler and former Offensive Rookie of the Year will be the top receiver off the board in the first round of fantasy drafts this fall.
--Keith Hernandez - RotoBallerSource: NFL Network - Cameron Wolfe
February 19, 2025
Cincinnati Bengals wide receiver
Ja'Marr Chase is due for a contract extension after leading the NFL in receptions (127), receiving yards (1,708), and receiving touchdowns (17) in 2024. The former first-round pick out of LSU could command an average salary of $40 million, according to NFL insider Jordan Schultz. This would make Chase the highest-paid wideout in NFL history and $5 million ahead of former college teammate
Justin Jefferson. Chase is off to one of the best starts for a wide receiver in NFL history, and the Bengals hope to lock him up long-term this offseason along with fellow wideout
Tee Higgins.
--Jackson Sparks - RotoBallerSource: Jordan Schultz
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