CINCINNATI, OHIO - SEPTEMBER 23: Ja'Marr Chase #1 of the Cincinnati Bengals celebrates after scoring a 41 yard touchdown against the Washington Commanders during the first quarter at Paycor Stadium on September 23, 2024 in Cincinnati, Ohio. (Photo by Andy Lyons/Getty Images)
The Bengals just locked up Joe Burrow’s top two targets for at least the next four years. Cincinnati signed Ja’Marr Chase to a four-year, $161 million deal and Tee Higgins to a four-year, $115 million contract, per Adam Schefter, keeping one of the best wide receiver duos in the league together for the foreseeable future.
This is a huge win for the Bengals’ offense but a tough hit for their defense. Chase has arguably been the league’s best wide receiver since entering the NFL, making big plays look effortless and proving he’s worth every penny. Higgins, while not always putting up flashy numbers, is just as important to what makes Cincinnati’s offense so dangerous. He uses his size and reliable hands to dominate in key moments and helps open up the field for the rest of the receiving corps. With both locked in, Burrow isn’t losing any firepower anytime soon.
Once Cincinnati extends Trey Hendrickson, they’ll have almost half of their salary cap tied up in just four players—Burrow, Chase, Higgins, and Hendrickson. That’s a massive financial commitment to a small group, meaning the Bengals will need to nail their defensive picks in the draft. If they don’t, stopping opposing offenses could become a major challenge.
That being said, this move sends a clear message: the Bengals are all-in on winning now. As long as Burrow stays healthy and this core stays together, Cincinnati will remain a serious Super Bowl contender for years to come.
