The Cincinnati Bengals signed Ja’Marr Chase to a four-year, $161-million extension and Tee Higgins to a four-year deal worth $115 million.
Chase’s deal, which also contains $112 million guaranteed, makes him the highest-paid non-quarterback in NFL history (passing Myles Garett).
Higgins’ extension can also reach over $30 million per year with incentives, per Jordan Schultz.
Chase’s average annual value of $40.25 million per year also surpasses the previous wide receiver record set by Minnesota Vikings wideout and former LSU teammate Justin Jefferson. Jefferson’s deal, which he signed last season, averages $35 million per year, according to Over The Cap.
It was reported a few days before the deals were done that the Bengals were nearing contract extensions with both their star receivers.
The contract extensions keep the trio of Chase, Higgins, and quarterback Joe Burrow together for the long-term future. Chase, who was entering the final year of his rookie deal, will be under contract through 2029 after signing his four-year extension. Higgins’ deal will run through 2028, while Burrow is also signed through the 2029 season.
There were questions about whether the Bengals would be able to sign Chase and Higgins to extensions. The team was unable to reach an agreement with Chase prior to the start of the 2024 season, while Higgins was franchise tagged in each of the last two offseasons. Higgins also requested a trade, but was ultimately retained.
The fifth overall pick in 2021 by the Bengals, Chase has quickly became one of the NFL’s top playmakers. He made the Pro Bowl in each of his first four seasons and is also coming off a triple-crown season in 2024 in which he led the league in receptions with 127, had 1,708 receiving yards, all while adding 17 touchdowns.
Higgins, who was picked in the second round of the 2020 NFL Draft, has two 1,000+ yard seasons to his career. Last season, he played in 12 games catching 73 passes for 911 yards and 10 touchdowns.
Chase has 5,425 receiving yards and 46 touchdowns across four seasons, while Higgins has 4,595 receiving yards and 34 touchdowns across five years.
Burrow had been publicly advocating for the Bengals to find a way to extend his top two receivers, and they did just that for him and the organization. The next domino to fall now for the Bengals is Trey Hendrickson. Will they pay him as well?
Jaden Chandler-Parnell, or “JC” is a Sports & Sports Betting Analyst for Stare Down Sports. You can Follow him on X @Jaden95Chandler and on YouTube
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