Ja'Marr Chase, Tee Higgins, Cincinnati Bengals
Credit: Sam Greene / USA TODAY NETWORK via Imagn Images
The biggest question facing the Cincinnati Bengals this offseason was the futures of elite wide receivers Tee Higgins and Ja’Marr Chase.
The Bengals franchise-tagged Higgins for the second consecutive year as Chase approaches the final year of his rookie deal.
Multiple NFL insiders, including The Athletic’s Dianna Russini, reported Friday that the Bengals are closing in on signing both playmakers, which would make franchise quarterback Joe Burrow quite happy.
Last year, the duo combined for 27 receiving touchdowns and 2,619 receiving yards on 200 catches. Chase had one of the greatest regular seasons for a wide receiver in NFL history: leading the league in receptions (127), receiving yards (1,708), receiving touchdowns (17), receiving yards per game (100.5), and scrimmage yards per touch (13.4).
With Higgins and Chase expected to remain in Cincinnati for years to come, Russini reveals what both will cost per season.
Tee Higgins, Ja’Marr Chase expected to receive massive salaries
Cincinnati Bengals wide receiver Ja'Marr Chase (1) talks with Cincinnati Bengals wide receiver Tee Higgins (5) in the fourth quarter of the NFL game between the Cincinnati Bengals and the San Francisco 49ers at Levi Stadium in Santa Clara, Calif., on Sunday, Oct 29, 2023.
Credit: Albert Cesare/The Enquier / USA TODAY NETWORK
Russini states that Higgins and Chase are expected to make over a combined $70 million per season when they sign their new deals. According to OverTheCap.com, the Bengals currently have $26.8 million in cap space.
The Bengals are willing to make Chase the highest-paid non-quarterback in the league, meaning he will surpass Myles Garrett’s new four-year, $160 million contract with the Cleveland Browns and earn more than $40 million per year.
The Bengals have been very motivated to extend their superstar receivers.
Significant progress has been made with both Tee Higgins and Ja’Marr Chase, the latter of whom received his first offer from the team during the combine.
Expect the duo to received over $70 million per… pic.twitter.com/7qQgIj0mjm
— Dianna Russini (@DMRussini) March 14, 2025
If Higgins and Chase make $70 million combined, and with Burrow’s $55 million annually, the three will account for nearly 43% of the Bengals’ $279.2 million salary cap for 2025. That leaves limited financial flexibility to improve a defense that ranked 25th in 2024, surrendering 348.3 yards per game.
Four-time Pro Bowl defensive end Trey Hendrickson has also requested a trade from the Bengals as he seeks a raise entering the final year of his contract that pays him $18.6 million in 2025. Cincinnati has failed to make the playoffs the last two years and is coming off back-to-back 9-8 records, placing their roster construction strategy under increasing scrutiny.