Bengals closing in on 'massive contract extensions' with Tee Higgins, Ja'Marr Chase
The Cincinnati Bengals are close to getting "massive contract extensions" done with both of their star wide receivers.
Cincinnati has made "significant progress" on reaching agreements on extension for both Ja'Marr Chase and Tee Higgins, according to NFL Network's Ian Rapoport. Chase was due to begin the final season of his rookie deal in 2025, and the Bengals had just placed their franchise tag on Higgins for a second year in a row after failing to reach an agreement on an extension before the franchise tag deadline.
At the NFL Scouting Combine late last month, Cincinnati general manager Duke Tobin shared that he hoped the team would be able to sign Chase, Higgins and defensive end Trey Hendrickson to contract extensions this offseason.
"We've managed our cap well," he said at the time. "We've got low dead money. We want a high payroll and low dead money so the people that are in Cincinnati playing for us can get all the money. That's what we want. We're in a position to re-sign these guys. It's a good position to be in. It really is. We're going to attack it."
ESPN's Adam Schefter reported that Chase is expected to make more than $40 million per year. The number is significant because it would pass the mark Browns defensive end Myles Garrett set as the new highest-paid non-quarterback in the NFL after his recent extension.
Tobin said at the combine that he expected to give Chase that distinction.
"Ja'Marr is always going to be our priority," he said. "He's a fantastic football player. He's going to end up being the No. 1 paid non-quarterback in the league. We're there. Let's get it done."
Higgins could receive as much as $30 million per year as part of his contract negotiations, other reports have stated. Chase and Higgins would be the top-paid wide receiver duo in the league if the Bengals pay them a combined $70 million per year.
In four seasons with Cincinnati, Chase has recorded 395 catches for 5,425 yards and 46 touchdowns. In 2024, he won the receiving triple crown by leading the league in catches (127), receiving yards (1,708) and receiving touchdowns (17).
Higgins has played five seasons with the Bengals and tallied 330 catches for 4,595 receiving yards and 34 touchdowns in his career so far. Last year, the wideout missed five games due to various lower-body injuries but still managed to put up 911 yards and 10 touchdowns on 73 receptions.
According to Overthecap.com, the Bengals have $26.9 million in available cap space for the 2025 league year.
Cincinnati is coming off a 9-8 season in which it narrowly missed the playoffs. It currently holds the No. 17 overall pick in the 2025 NFL draft.
This article originally appeared on USA TODAY: Ja'Marr Chase, Tee Higgins close to 'massive extensions' with Bengals
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