Can the Cincinnati Bengals make everyone happy?
USAT’s Mackenzie Salmon asks Lorenzo Reyes on the financial situation in Cincinnati.
Sports Seriously
Bengals general manager Duke Tobin vowed he would make Ja’Marr Chase the league’s highest-paid non-quarterback. And on Sunday, he did.
Chase and the Bengals have agreed to terms on a four-year, $161 million contract extension that will keep the star receiver in Cincinnati through the 2029 season, according to reports. The deal also gives him $112 million guaranteed.
The former LSU Tiger was set to enter the final year of his rookie contract in 2025 prior to signing the extension since the Bengals exercised Chase’s fifth-year option before last season.
Reports emerged Friday that the two sides were close to agreeing on a contract extension. Many analysts expected Chase to secure an average annual value above the $40 million per year mark that Browns defensive end Myles Garrett set as the new highest-paid non-quarterback in the NFL with his extension on March 9.
In late February, Tobin told reporters at the NFL Scouting Combine that he wanted to make Chase the highest-paid non-quarterback in the NFL with his contract extension.
“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.”
The wideout joins Tee Higgins in signing a massive extension before the 2025 season, who was also part of Friday’s report that the Bengals were approaching deals with both receivers.
Chase has recorded 395 catches in four seasons with Cincinnati for 5,425 yards and 46 touchdowns. In 2024, Chase won the receiving triple crown by leading the league in receptions (127), receiving yards (1,708) and receiving touchdowns (17).
Cincinnati now has $26.8 million in available cap space for the 2025 league year, according to Overthecap.com.
The Bengals hold the No. 17 pick in the 2025 NFL draft after a 9-8 season that saw them narrowly miss the playoffs in 2024.
