It took a while but the Cincinnati Bengals finally locked up their two star wideouts to long-term contract extensions.
Higgins agreed to a four-year, $115 million deal while Chase earned a four-year, $161 million deal ($40.25 million per year), making him the highest-paid receiver in the NFL. Chase's monster extension bests former LSU teammate and current Minnesota Vikings wideout Justin Jefferson by more than $5 million per year.
The Bengals franchise-tagged Higgins nearly two weeks ago for the second straight offseason, which would have locked him into a guaranteed one-year deal worth $26.2 million next season.
And while Higgins made it known to the Bengals that he had no interest playing on the franchise tag again, he reportedly took matters into his own hands to ensure he not only got his extension but he also got the money he was looking for after failing to reach an extension last year, according to The 33rd Team's Ari Meirov.
"In a savvy leverage move, Tee Higgins switched agents a few months ago, hiring Rocky Arcenaux-the same agent as Ja'Marr Chase," Meirov wrote. "Knowing the #Bengals wanted to keep Chase and that Joe Burrow wanted Higgins to stay, Arcenaux told the team: no Ja'Marr deal without Tee. Now, both contracts are done at the same time. Masterful."
In a savvy leverage move, Tee Higgins switched agents a few months ago, hiring Rocky Arcenaux-the same agent as Ja'Marr Chase. Knowing the #Bengals wanted to keep Chase and that Joe Burrow wanted Higgins to stay, Arcenaux told the team: no Ja'Marr deal without Tee.
Now, both… https://t.co/bDfeJOA6Gjpic.twitter.com/CfsMvWVOE4
— Ari Meirov (@MySportsUpdate) March 17, 2025
Using Chase as a negotiating ploy certainly paid off as he signed a deal slightly more lucrative than the four-year, $109.8 million contract he was projected to sign by Spotrac, which projected his market value at $27.5 million per year.
Though the Bengals' check book took a big hit, locking up both Higgins and Chase was in their best interest. Quarterback Joe Burrow sent the team's front office a subtle warning weeks ago that they shouldn't let players like them walk out the door in free agency.
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This story was originally published March 17, 2025 at 12:25 AM.