On Sunday, Ja’Marr Chase and Tee Higgins confirmed to Fox Sports that they have agreed to lucrative contract extensions with the Cincinnati Bengals. Chase inked a four-year, $161 million deal with $112 million guaranteed, while Higgins secured a four-year, $115 million contract with two years guaranteed.
This is a monumental development for the Bengals and the entire NFL. It’s rare for teams to retain both their top wide receivers on long-term deals. Typically, a team prioritizes its No. 1 wideout, while the second option departs in free agency to secure a big payday elsewhere. However, Cincinnati has defied that trend, ensuring that Joe Burrow continues to have one of the most dangerous receiving duos in the league.
Historic Contracts for an Elite Duo
According to ESPN’s Ben Baby, Chase’s new deal includes an average annual salary of $40.25 million, making him the highest-paid non-quarterback in NFL history. Just recently, another player held that title, but Chase’s record-breaking contract resets the market again.
Chase’s dominance in the league speaks for itself. He is one of only five players since the NFL-AFL merger to win the Triple Crown, leading the league in receptions (127), yards (1,708), and touchdowns. His impact on the Bengals’ offense is undeniable, making this contract well-deserved.
Despite dealing with injuries last season, Higgins remained highly productive, hauling 10 touchdowns in just 12 games. He ranked 10th in receiving yards per game (75.9), proving he is a legitimate WR1 talent on nearly any other team. Chase and Higgins arguably give Cincinnati the best-receiving tandem in football.
Joe Burrow’s Influence on the Deals
A major catalyst behind these deals was none other than Joe Burrow. The Bengals’ franchise quarterback has been vocal about keeping his top targets in Cincinnati, advocating for their paydays in media appearances and interviews. At the 2024 Pro Bowl Games, Burrow stated:
“We have several guys like Chase who have stepped up for us and deserve to be paid what they’re worth.”
Burrow’s insistence that Chase and Higgins be compensated fairly undoubtedly played a role in securing their futures with the franchise. It’s another example of how important a franchise quarterback’s leadership is beyond their on-field play.
What’s Next for the Bengals?
With Burrow, Chase, and Higgins locked in, expectations for the Bengals are sky-high heading into the 2025 season. Last year, Cincinnati started sluggishly before finding their rhythm late in the season, finishing with a 9-8 record. Unfortunately, their playoff fate was out of their hands, and they ultimately missed the postseason.
However, with an elite quarterback and a dynamic receiving corps intact, the Bengals are poised to be a serious contender in the AFC. But one major question looms—what does this mean for their defense, particularly star pass rusher Trey Hendrickson?
The Trey Hendrickson Dilemma
Hendrickson has been one of the most underrated defensive players in the league since joining the Bengals from the New Orleans Saints. He led the NFL in sacks again last season, proving one of the most disruptive forces off the edge. However, with Cincinnati committing significant financial resources to their offense, Hendrickson’s future with the team is now uncertain.
If the Bengals can find a way to extend Hendrickson, it would solidify their defense for the long haul. However, if contract negotiations stall, Cincinnati could trade him for a package that includes multiple first- or second-round picks, providing valuable draft capital to bolster other roster areas.
The Defense Must Be a Priority
One of the biggest concerns surrounding the Bengals isn’t their offense—it’s their defense. Last season, defensive struggles cost them crucial games, and now they must focus on reinforcing that side of the ball. The team fired defensive coordinator Lou Anarumo at the end of the season, replacing him with Al Golden from Notre Dame. The expectation is that Golden will revamp the unit and create a more competitive defense to complement their elite offense.
But to do that, the Bengals must draft well and make smart free-agent acquisitions. They have a talented core, but losing Trey Hendrickson would be a major blow if they don’t find a suitable replacement. Cincinnati cannot afford to become a one-dimensional team that relies solely on outscoring opponents.
High Expectations in Cincinnati
There is no rebuilding phase for the Bengals now—they are built to compete for championships. The decision to extend Chase and Higgins was a clear message: this franchise is in win-now mode. Just three years ago, they reached the Super Bowl, and now that Burrow has his two elite wide receivers locked in, they must take the next step to return to that stage.
The AFC landscape became even more competitive with the re-signing of Chase and Higgins. Joe Burrow now has his top two weapons secured for the foreseeable future, and the Bengals’ offense remains one of the most dangerous units in the NFL. But now, all eyes will be on how they address their defense and depth moving forward.
Can Cincinnati find the right balance to remain a Super Bowl contender for years to come? The answer lies in how they approach the next phase of roster building. For now, though, they’ve ensured that their offensive foundation remains intact—and that alone makes them a serious AFC threat heading into 2025.
By securing Chase and Higgins, the Bengals have doubled down on their identity as a high-powered offensive team. They now enter the 2025 season with one of the most explosive passing attacks in the league. However, with significant financial commitments to their stars, the front office will need to make some tough decisions on the defensive side of the ball.
Can Cincinnati retain Trey Hendrickson and continue to build a balanced team? Or will they have to trade him to restock their defensive roster? Regardless, one thing is clear—the Bengals are all-in on Joe Burrow, Ja’Marr Chase, and Tee Higgins, leading them back to Super Bowl contention.
The Cincinnati Bengals’ decision to extend Ja’Marr Chase and Tee Higgins will undoubtedly spark debates across sports talk shows, podcasts, and online discussions. Many individuals around the league will question whether Cincinnati should have let Higgins walk, focusing on retaining Chase while using the extra cap space to bolster their defense. Others might argue that Joe Burrow should have taken a pay cut to free up more financial flexibility for roster improvements.
Those concerns are valid to an extent. The Bengals are now financially committed to their offensive core, and if they fail to adequately address their defensive issues, their Super Bowl aspirations could be impacted in the long run. However, Cincinnati has the opportunity to navigate these challenges strategically.
