CINCINNATI -- Two of the Cincinnati Bengals' biggest stars could be landing new deals soon.
The team's front office is actively working to get wide receivers Ja'Marr Chase and Tee Higgins signed to contract extensions as quickly as possible, sources told ESPN's Adam Schefter on Friday afternoon. Progress on the deals for Chase, who is entering the final season of his contract, and Higgins, who received the franchise tag for the second straight year, has been made in recent days on long-term extensions.
When those finally hit the books, they could end up being massive. The expectation around the league is that Chase's contract will average between $40.1 million to $41 million, sources told Schefter, which would make him the highest-paid non-quarterback in league history. That mark is currently held by Browns defensive end Myles Garrett, who signed his four-year extension worth $40 million per season Friday.
The development comes following a slow week for Cincinnati at the start of free agency. The biggest deals were re-signing defensive tackle BJ Hill to a three-year deal that averages $11 million per season, tight end Mike Gesicki to a three-year deal averaging $8.5 million annually and signing former Green Bay Packers defensive tackle T.J. Slaton (two years) and re-signing defensive end Joseph Ossai (one year) to contracts that average $7 million annually.
Ossai, a third-round pick in 2021, noted that the conversations about Higgins, Chase and defensive end Trey Hendrickson, who is also looking for a hefty extension, was understood throughout negotiations. The Bengals, however, are allowing Hendrickson to seek a trade.
When asked about the potential of retaining all three players for 2025, Ossai widened his eyes, raised his eyebrows and smiled about the lofty possibility.
"People would love to have them back," Ossai said Friday. "The confidence they bring to the team, you're going out there and you have you know Ja'Marr and Tee as a tandem. You can win any game." Throughout the offseason, the Bengals have strongly been in favor of bringing Higgins and Chase back despite the price tags. Chase is entering the final year of his rookie deal while Higgins has been given the franchise tag for the second straight year.
At the NFL scouting combine in February, de facto general manager Duke Tobin repeatedly stated the team's desire to give Chase a record-breaking extension after his historic 2024 season that saw him win the receiving triple crown. Quarterback Joe Burrow has also been very vocal about making sure the team finds a way to retain its best players.
