The Cincinnati Bengals have made a significant move in securing the future of their offense by agreeing to long-term contracts with wide receivers Ja'Marr Chase and Tee Higgins. According to a reliable team source, Chase has signed a four-year contract worth $161 million, with $112 million guaranteed. Meanwhile, Higgins, who was franchised last month, has agreed to a four-year deal totaling $115 million, ensuring the first two years are guaranteed.
With this new deal, Chase, at just 25 years old, has officially become the highest-paid non-quarterback in NFL history. This milestone marks the third time this offseason that the record for the highest annual salary has been broken. Chase's contract exceeds the previous record of $40 million per year, set by Myles Garrett of the Cleveland Browns, who himself surpassed the record held by Maxx Crosby of the Las Vegas Raiders.
Higgins, now 26, will avoid the uncertainty of playing under the franchise tag for a second consecutive season. By securing both Chase and Higgins, the Bengals ensure they maintain one of the most formidable wide receiver duos in the NFL, a key component of their offensive strategy.
Drafted fifth overall by the Bengals in 2021, Chase has quickly emerged as one of the top receivers in the league. Since joining the NFL, he leads all players with 46 receiving touchdowns and ranks third in receiving yards with a remarkable total of 5,425 yards. Chase is one of only five players to surpass 5,000 receiving yards in this span. He also made history in 2024 by becoming the sixth wide receiver to achieve the triple crown, leading the league with 127 receptions, 1,708 yards, and 17 receiving touchdowns. His exceptional performance earned him first-team All-Pro honors, as well as a high ranking in the Offensive Player of the Year and MVP voting.
Higgins has also made his mark in the league, playing 12 games in 2024 and recording 73 catches for 911 yards and 10 touchdowns. As a second-round pick in 2020, he has already notched two 1,000-yard seasons in just five years. His consistent performance is vital for the Bengals as they aim to solidify their position as contenders in the league.
The timing of these deals is crucial for the Bengals. They needed to move quickly to avoid inflating costs and creating unnecessary drama. By finalizing contracts with Chase and Higgins, the Bengals can now focus on building a championship-caliber team around what they believe is the best passing game in the NFL. Last season, both players faced contract-related distractions that impacted their performance and the team's overall success. Addressing these contracts early allows for a smoother training camp ahead of the upcoming season.
With Burrow, Chase, and Higgins on the field, the Bengals are positioned to be competitive every game. However, the team's future success hinges on addressing issues within the offensive and defensive lines. Last season, the Bengals fell short of their postseason goals due to insufficient line play. The team must capitalize on the upcoming draft and explore opportunities in free agency to strengthen these crucial areas.
While securing contracts for Chase and Higgins was priority number one, the future of defensive end Trey Hendrickson remains uncertain. The Bengals have given him permission to seek a trade, but with free agency largely concluded, finding a suitable trade partner is critical. The recently restructured contracts of Chase and Higgins provide the Bengals with additional salary cap flexibility, but discussions regarding Hendrickson will need to wait until the dust settles from these significant signings.
In conclusion, the Cincinnati Bengals' commitment to retaining their star wide receivers is a clear indication of their ambitions for the future. With Chase and Higgins locked in, the team can now focus on addressing other critical needs as they strive for greatness in the NFL.
