Life is pretty sweet right now for former Tigers/current NFL stars Ja’Marr Chase and Derek Stingley Jr.
On Monday each player signed big ass extensions with their current team that will reset the market at each of their respective positions.
Chase signed a four-year extension with the Cincinatti Bengals that will keep him paired with Joe Burrow for the foreseeable future. Chase’s deal is worth a record $161 million including $112 million guaranteed. It’s the biggest deal signed by a non-quarterback in NFL history though it’s worth pointing out that record isn’t all that impressive since teams have been spending like crazy the past two weeks.
Las Vegas made defensive end Maxx Crosby the richest non-QB deal in league history on March 5, and then Cleveland one-upped them with a record deal for Myles Garrett on March 9. Now a little over a week later, Cincy cut the check to end all checks...well until the next one is signed at least.
Chase had the season of his life this past year, winning the NFL’s receiver triple crown. Chase set Bengal franchise records in catches (127), yards (1,708), and touchdowns (17). He came into 2024 wanting a hefty extension, was the best receiver in football, and cashed in for a record amount of money.
Speaking of a record amount of money, that’s the deal that Derek Stingley signed with the Houston Texans on Monday. Stingley signed a three-year extension with Houston worth $90 million that includes $89 million guaranteed. Stingley’s $30 million a year salary makes him the highest paid defensive back in NFL history.
After a good 2023 season, Stingley had his long awaited breakout year in 2024. Stingley earned First-Team All-Pro honors and was voted to the Pro Bowl after having five interceptions and 10 PBUs.
The common LSU fan will never be able to properly thank the 2019 LSU Tigers for delivering the greatest year in college football history, so it’s nice that the billionaire owners of NFL teams are doing that for us. Between extensions/free agent deals signed by guys like Joe Burrow, Justin Jefferson, Lloyd Cushenberry, Patrick Queen, and of course Chase and Stingley, that 2019 team has made over a billion dollars in NFL contracts.
Hard work pays off for these former Tigers
Joe Burrow: 5-year, $275 million extension signed in 2023
Justin Jefferson: 4-year, $140 million extension signed in 2024
Ja'Marr Chase: 4-year, $161 million extension signed this offseason
Derek Stingley Jr.: 3-year $90 million… pic.twitter.com/AL9nOhZfzn
— NFL (@NFL) March 17, 2025
The legacy of the 2019 LSU Tigers continues:
Joe Burrow: $275M
Ja'Marr Chase: $161M
Justin Jefferson: $140M
Derek Stingley: $90M
Damien Lewis: $53M
Lloyd Cushenberry: $50M
Patrick Queen: $40M
Grant Delpit: $36M
▪️ 15 more 2019 Tigers are in NFL.
— Jeff Duncan (@JeffDuncan_) March 17, 2025
Stay tuned for whenever Washington signs Jayden Daniels for infinity dollars in a few years.