A new NFL rumor suggests the Cincinnati Bengals are going to crush the previous receiver contract record in a new extension for Pro Bowler Ja’Marr Chase.
The Bengals have returned to relevancy over the last few years due to the immense talent of their offense led by top star Joe Burrow. It helped lead them to the Super Bowl in 2021 and then back to the AFC Conference Championship the following year.
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However, the bill is coming due on the talented weapons at Burrow’s disposal. Tee Higgins is eligible to hit free agency this offseason. But the team looked to avert his departure on the open market when they slapped the franchise tag on him this week for a second year. Most expect it will lead to a new contract that could fetch the 26-year-old an annual rate of $30 million.
But fellow receiver Ja’Marr Chase is now entering the final year of his contract as well. After a record-setting season as he won the NFL receiver triple crown, he stands to get a huge raise very soon. On Wednesday, FOX Sports NFL insider Jordan Schultz revealed what Chase is likely to get in a new deal, and it is an obscene amount.
Cincinnati Bengals to soon have NFL’s first $40 million a year wide receiver?
“Chase, as I’ve reported, was very, very close to getting a deal done before last season began. In fact, multiple sources familiar with the negotiations say that the 2024 triple-crown winner was even willing to sit out the team’s first couple of games,” Schultz wrote. “Ultimately, Chase chose to play and now Cincinnati is staring at the league’s first $40 million wide receiver. That’s right: Chase will command at least $40 million per season.”
The highest-paid wide receiver in 2024 was Minnesota Vikings superstar Justin Jefferson. Chase could potentially average $5 million more in a new deal, and just $6 million less than Burrow. Within the next year, the Cincinnati Bengals could be paying three players on offense as much as $116 million per season.
It is a stunning amount for a franchise that was one of the least valuable in the NFL in Forbes’ recent rankings.
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