Bengals Make Ja'Marr Chase The Highest-Paid Non-QB In NFL History
The Cincinnati Bengals signed wide receiver Ja'Marr Chase to a four-year, $161 million deal with $112 million guaranteed on Sunday to make him the highest-paid non-quarterback in NFL history, according to FOX Sports' Jordan Schultz. The 25-year-old All-Pro wideout is now under contract with the Bengals for the next five years for $182.816 million. The former fifth overall pick in 2021 out of LSU was deserving of the record contract after leading the league in receptions (127), receiving yards (1,708), touchdowns (17) and yards per game (100.5) in 17 games (16 starts) for the Bengals in his fourth year in the league in 2024. Chase has now been a Pro Bowler in each of his four years in the NFL and has put up at least 1,046 yards and seven touchdowns every year. With Tee Higgins also coming back and with Joe Burrow throwing him the football, Chase will be the unquestioned top receiver in fantasy this fall.
Bengals Making Headway On Contracts For Tee Higgins, Ja'Marr Chase
According to Ian Rapoport of the NFL, the Cincinnati Bengals have made "significant progress on massive contract extensions" regarding wide receivers Ja'Marr Chase and Tee Higgins. Per Rapoport, both players could have new contracts over the coming days. Quarterback Joe Burrow has advocated not splitting up the star wideouts, and he could get his wish granted in short order. Cincinnati has already franchise-tagged Higgins twice, so their only option is to pay, trade, or let him walk. More so, they've put off signing Chase to the bank-breaking deal he's deservedly owed as the price tag continues to rise after his stellar triple-crown winning 2024. It'd be an excellent move for the Bengals. However, the trick lies in not financially handicapping themselves for years to come. Rapoport notes there is still work to be done, but the ramifications of this situation only stand to benefit the team for the time being.
Bengals, Ja'Marr Chase Remain Far Apart In Extension Talks
The Athletic's Dianna Russini reports that while the Cincinnati Bengals have made an offer to All-Pro wide receiver Ja'Marr Chase, the two sides remain far apart in extension talks for now. Chase is fully expected to reset the non-QB market after he and the Bengals were unable to agree on an extension before the start of the 2024 season, but Cincinnati appears to be prioritizing an extension with Tee Higgins first this offseason. Cincinnati is trying to keep all three of Chase, Higgins and defensive end Trey Hendrickson, but if they can't get deals done with all three, Hendrickson is most likely to be the odd man out. The 25-year-old Chase had the league's receiving Triple Crown in 2024 by leading the NFL in catches (127), receiving yards (1,708) and receiving touchdowns (17), making him deserving of being the highest-paid non-QB. He'll be the first receiver off the board in the first round in 2025 fantasy drafts.
Bengals To Make Ja'Marr Chase The Highest-Paid Non-QB
Cincinnati Bengals lead executive Duke Tobin said on Tuesday that wide receiver Ja'Marr Chase will become the highest-paid non-quarterback in the NFL this offseason. "We're there, let's get it done signed contract that's what needs to happen," Tobin said. The Bengals couldn't get an extension done with the 24-year-old All-Pro pass-catcher before the start of the regular season, but that won't happen this year. Chase deserves a raise and should pass Vikings wideout Justin Jefferson ($35 million average salary per year) as the highest-paid non-QB in the league this offseason after he came away with the receiving Triple Crown in 2024 by leading the NFL in catches (127), receiving yards (1,708) and touchdowns (17) in 17 games played. The four-time Pro Bowler and former Offensive Rookie of the Year will be the top receiver off the board in the first round of fantasy drafts this fall.
Ja'Marr Chase Could Be First $40 Million Wide Receiver
Cincinnati Bengals wide receiver Ja'Marr Chase is due for a contract extension after leading the NFL in receptions (127), receiving yards (1,708), and receiving touchdowns (17) in 2024. The former first-round pick out of LSU could command an average salary of $40 million, according to NFL insider Jordan Schultz. This would make Chase the highest-paid wideout in NFL history and $5 million ahead of former college teammate Justin Jefferson. Chase is off to one of the best starts for a wide receiver in NFL history, and the Bengals hope to lock him up long-term this offseason along with fellow wideout Tee Higgins.
Bengals Trying To Land Extensions For Ja'Marr Chase, Tee Higgins, Trey Hendrickson
ESPN's Jeremy Fowler reports that the Cincinnati Bengals will attempt to sign wide receivers Ja'Marr Chase and Tee Higgins and defensive end Trey Hendrickson to long-term contract extensions this offseason, according to sources. Higgins will hit free agency on March 12, but a team source thinks Cincy will use the franchise tag on him for a second straight year if an extension isn't reached by the March 4 tag deadline -- a report surfaced on Monday that the Bengals will use the non-exclusive tag on Higgins. Chase, meanwhile, is set to become the highest-paid receiver in the NFL after leading the league in receiving yards (1,708), touchdowns (17) and catches (127) in 2024. Hendrickson could command over $30 million per year after back-to-back seasons of 17.5 sacks as one of the best pass-rushers in the NFL. Quarterback Joe Burrow is willing to alter his contract to allow the Bengals a realistic chance to keep all three star players.
On Friday, Cincinnati Bengals wide receiver Ja'Marr Chase told ESPN's Laura Rutledge that he's hoping to get "what's fair" regarding his new contract. "Hopefully, I don't put too much pressure on anybody, but I just want it to be fair, that's all." As for what's "fair" from the 24-year-old's point of view: "I can't really say everything I want to say. It's what I deserve." Chase is coming off his best season as a pro, and it couldn't come at a better time for his looming contract. The superstar wideout became just the sixth pass-catcher in the Super Bowl era to lead the league in receptions, receiving yards, and touchdowns -- effectively taking home the Triple Crown. It appears he's insinuating he wants to match or exceed his former LSU teammate Justin Jefferson's contract value, which would make him the highest-paid non-QB in the league. Hopefully, the negotiations don't linger into the summer, as it's the only outcome that could prevent Chase from being a highly-selected fantasy asset in 2025.
Ja'Marr Chase Extension A Priority For Bengals This Offseason
Cincinnati Bengals All-Pro wide receiver Ja'Marr Chase is entering the final year of his rookie deal with the team in 2025 after not being able to agree on a new contract last offseason. This offseason, director of personnel Duke Tobin said a long-term extension for Chase will be "a priority for us." The Bengals should expect Chase's representation to ask for significantly more than what Cincy's final offer was last year after he led the NFL in receiving yards (1,708), receptions (127) and touchdowns (17) to capture the receiving Triple Crown. The 24-year-old will be a finalist for Offensive Player of the Year. When everything is said and done, Chase will be the league's highest-paid non-quarterback in league history. The Vikings' Justin Jefferson reset the WR market with a four-year deal worth $140 million, which Chase will exceed. For good reason, Chase will be the first WR off the board in fantasy drafts in 2025.
Cincinnati Bengals wide receiver Ja'Marr Chase caught 10 of his 14 targets for 96 yards and a touchdown in Saturday's win over the Steelers. The former LSU Tiger didn't find the end zone in Week 17 versus the Broncos. However, he showed up in a big way on Saturday to help keep the Bengals' postseason hopes alive. With that said, Chase has had an impressive year, amassing 1,708 yards, 127 grabs, and 17 touchdowns, making him a top-five overall option in fantasy drafts entering the 2025-26 campaign.
Ja'Marr Chase Will Need Another Big Showing On Saturday
Cincinnati Bengals wide receiver Ja'Marr Chase has been a top fantasy option all year, leading all wideouts in catches (117), yards (1,612), and touchdowns (16). With Cincinnati still alive for the postseason, the former LSU Tiger will need to be at his best in Week 18 versus the Steelers. Chase played well enough when the Bengals met the Steelers on December 1, catching six passes for 86 yards and a touchdown. Granted, it wasn't his best performance. However, Chase may need to see more targets this time around, especially if Tee Higgins (knee, ankle), who is questionable, doesn't suit up. But even if Higgins is on the field, Chase is a must-start, obviously. He's also worth considering for all DFS contests, despite his hefty rostering cost.
Ja'Marr Chase
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