The Cincinnati Bengals have experienced a whirlwind of an offseason, with many initially doubting the possibility of retaining both Ja'Marr Chase and Tee Higgins. However, in a surprising turn of events, the front office managed to pull off the impossible, securing long-term deals for both wide receivers.
According to Fox Sports NFL Insider Jordan Schultz, who broke the news, both Chase and Higgins exclusively shared that they have agreed to four-year contracts. Chase is now the highest-paid non-quarterback in the league, with a massive $161 million deal, including $112 million guaranteed. Higgins, on the other hand, will receive $115 million, with the first two years fully guaranteed.
Despite the drama and back-and-forth negotiations, Bengals' general manager Duke Tobin, owner Mike Brown, and the front office navigated the deal successfully, fulfilling the wishes of star quarterback Joe Burrow, who made it clear this offseason that keeping both wide receivers was a necessity.
BREAKING: #Bengals WRs Ja'Marr Chase and Tee Higgins exclusively tell me they've agreed to contract extensions with the team.
Ja'Marr gets: 4-years, $161M with $112M guaranteed - making him the highest-paid non-QB in NFL history.
Tee gets: 4-years, $115M with the first two… pic.twitter.com/zbdnEDELgz
— Jordan Schultz (@Schultz_Report) March 17, 2025
Minutes after Jordan Schultz made the contract extensions public, both Ja'Marr Chase and Tee Higgins took to social media to share the same candid reaction. Each posted the simple handshake emoji, nearly simultaneously, signaling their shared excitement and agreement on the massive deals.
Check it out:
https://t.co/oWWKo1Gymw
— Ja'MarrChase (@Real10jayy__) March 17, 2025
— Tee Higgins⁵ (@teehiggins5) March 17, 2025
The two entered the league a year apart, but since their first season in 2021, Ja'Marr Chase and Tee Higgins quickly became one of the best duos in the NFL, helping propel the Bengals to the Super Bowl that year.
Last season, Chase achieved the rare Triple Crown, leading all wide receivers in receptions, receiving yards, and touchdowns. He finished with 127 catches for 1,708 yards and 17 TDs. Meanwhile, Higgins, despite missing some games, totaled 73 receptions for 911 yards and 10 touchdowns.
Now, with the focus shifting to defensive end Trey Hendrickson, Cincinnati has secured their core trio-Ja'Marr Chase, Tee Higgins, and Joe Burrow-on long-term deals.
Related: Joe Burrow Vows to 'Do What It Takes' to Keep Tee Higgins With Bengals
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This story was originally published March 16, 2025 at 10:30 PM.