Ja'Marr Chase, Tee Higgins reportedly both agree to contract extensions with Bengals
The Cincinnati Bengals have reached contract extensions with both Ja'Marr Chase and Tee Higgins, according to multiple media reports.
Chase's deal is for four years and $161 million and will make him the highest-paid non-quarterback in NFL history, according to NFL Network.
Higgins will sign for four years and $115 million, per the report.
The news on Chase confirms a Friday report that he was expected to sign a deal worth between $40.2 million and $41 million per season.
The deal keeps Cincinnati's top two receivers and the core of the Bengals' explosive passing game intact alongside quarterback Joe Burrow.
The Bengals are spending an average $125M per year on these three đ€Ż
â Yahoo Sports (@YahooSports) March 17, 2025
Joe Burrow: $55M per year
JaâMarr Chase: $40.25M per year
Tee Higgins: $28.75M per year pic.twitter.com/88E1pDgwkw
Chase's path to record contract
The road to Chase's potentially huge windfall was contentious. He staged a "hold-in" last training camp, where he showed up to practices but didn't participate.
That made for some awkward news conferences with head coach Zac Taylor. Chase was on a four-year rookie deal and the Bengals picked up the option on a fifth year (2025) that was scheduled to pay him $21 million. He earned $9.8 million last season. In response to the testy summer, Chase had the best season of his NFL career.
Chase, 25, won the league's triple crown for wide receivers, where he led the league in touchdown catches (17), receptions (127) and receiving yards (1,708). It was the first time a receiver achieved the feat since the Los Angeles Rams' Cooper Kupp in 2021.
His best game of the 2024 season was against the Baltimore Ravens in November, when he had 11 catches for 264 receiving yards and three touchdowns in a tight 35-34 defeat on the road.
âHeâs a fantastic football player,â Duke Tobin, the Bengals' director of player personnel, said at the NFL scouting combine. âHeâs going to end up being the No. 1 paid non-QB in the league. Weâre there. Letâs get it done."
They eventually got it done.
Higgins gets his long-term deal
Getting a deal done with Higgins was likewise a winding path. Higgins played on the franchise tag last season and was hit with the franchise tag for a second straight season in March. Under the tag, Higgins would have been due $26.2 million for the 2025 season.
He now has the long-term deal that he's long sought with the Bengals. Higgins earned $21.8 million on the franchise tag in 2024 and played on a four-year, $8.7 million rookie contract before that.
He responded to news of the deal Sunday on social media.
đ€
â Tee Higginsâ” (@teehiggins5) March 17, 2025
Higgins, 26, is a five-season NFL veteran who has played his entire career with Cincinnati since the Bengals selected him with the first pick of the second round of the 2020 NFL Draft. He has emerged as one of the NFL's best No. 2 options playing alongside Chase.
In 12 games last season, Higgins tallied 73 catches for 911 yards and a career-high 10 touchdowns.
Topics
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Bengals closing in on 'massive contract extensions' with Tee Higgins, Ja'Marr Chase
Both Ja'Marr Chase and Tee Higgins could be receiving massive paydays from the Cincinnati Bengals in the coming days, according to reports.Yahoo Sports - 2d -
Bengals reach extensions with Chase, Higgins
The Bengals have secured two of the NFL's most prominent wide receivers, with Ja'Marr Chase and Tee Higgins telling Fox Sports that they have agreed to contract extensions.ESPN - 25m -
Reactions: Bengals' Ja'Marr Chase, Tee Higgins contract extensions done
The Bengals are keeping their talented offensive trio of quarterback Joe Burrow and receivers Ja'Marr Chase and Tee Higgins intact.Yahoo Sports - 9h -
Bengals extend Ja'Marr Chase, Tee Higgins for four years apiece
The Bengals are keeping both Ja'Marr Chase and Tee Higgins with each getting rich four-year extensionsYahoo Sports - 9h -
Bengals reach extension with Ja'Marr Chase and Tee Higgins. Source says Chase will be highest-paid non-QB in NFL history
Bengals reach extension with Ja'Marr Chase and Tee Higgins. Source says Chase will be highest-paid non-QB in NFL historyABC News - 8h -
Chase, Higgins reach extensions with Bengals. AP source says Chase will be NFL's highest-paid non-QB
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Bengals, Ja'Marr Chase get it done.Yahoo Sports - 10h
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