Over the past five years, the Cincinnati Bengals have had one of the NFL’s most exciting and explosive offenses, finishing in the top third of the league in offensive yards per game three times during that period. The two outlying seasons featured quarterback Joe Burrow sidelined due to injuries. As long as the Bengals have Burrow, along with standout wide receivers Ja’Marr Chase and Tee Higgins, they will remain competitive.
Cincinnati’s decision to secure Chase and Higgins on long-term deals seemed inevitable, and the Bengals confirmed those agreements on Sunday night. Fox’s Jordan Schultz reported that the team reached significant contract extensions with the pair.
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
As noted by Schultz, Chase’s four-year, $161 million contract includes an astonishing $112 million guaranteed, making him the highest-paid non-quarterback in NFL history. Higgins’ deal is also noteworthy, potentially earning him $115 million over the next four years, though only the first two years are guaranteed.
Chase has quickly distinguished himself as one of the NFL’s elite wide receivers since being drafted fifth overall in the 2021 NFL Draft. In just four seasons, he has accumulated 5,425 receiving yards and 46 touchdowns, leading the NFL in both categories last season with franchise-records of 1,708 yards and 17 touchdowns. He has also been selected to four Pro Bowls and named a First Team All-Pro twice. On the other hand, while Higgins may not have the same level of accolades, his contributions are invaluable as one of the league’s top secondary receivers, amassing 4,595 yards and 34 touchdowns in five seasons, effectively easing the pressure on Chase and providing Burrow with another offensive weapon.
