In a surprising turn of events on a typically quiet NFL Sunday night, the Cincinnati Bengals have made significant moves to secure the futures of their standout wide receivers, Ja'Marr Chase and Tee Higgins. The news broke “exclusively” to Jordan Schultz of Fox Sports before being shared with other media outlets. Both players confirmed the deal through a handshake emoji on their Twitter accounts, signaling their satisfaction with the agreements.
Ja'Marr Chase has reportedly signed a monumental four-year deal worth $161 million. While the specifics are somewhat unclear, it is widely believed that this agreement is an extension that adds four years to the final year of his rookie contract, which was set to pay him $21.8 million. This arrangement suggests that the new-money average for the contract stands at $40.25 million, with an actual value at signing of approximately $32.56 million. If it were a simple four-year, $161 million contract, it would have been classified as a three-year extension with a new-money average closer to $46.4 million.
On the other hand, Tee Higgins has also inked a lucrative deal, securing a four-year contract valued at $115 million. This deal presents an average at signing of $28.75 million. To achieve this contract, Higgins made a strategic decision to forfeit $26.16 million in fully guaranteed pay for the year 2025 under the franchise tag, as well as a reliable path to free agency in 2026, given that the Bengals would not have tagged him for a third consecutive year. It is reported that the first two years of Higgins' contract are guaranteed, which likely means those amounts are fully secured. This decision underscores the importance of ensuring financial stability over mere guarantees.
The bottom line is that the Bengals have successfully locked in two of their key offensive players for the foreseeable future—Chase for five years and Higgins for four years. This strategic move not only strengthens the team but also alleviates any potential concerns surrounding franchise quarterback Joe Burrow. With Chase and Higgins under contract, Burrow is less likely to be frustrated over team spending, especially when it comes to compensating players who have demonstrated their worth on the field.
As the details of these contracts become fully available, fans and analysts alike will be eager to break down the implications of these deals on the Bengals’ future prospects in the NFL. The commitment to both Chase and Higgins signals a strong dedication to maintaining a competitive roster and building around their franchise quarterback.
