Joe Burrow repeatedly emphasizes the importance of Bengalis re-signing both Jammer Chase and Tee Higgins. The Bengals quarterback recited his wish as the team agreed with both star wide receivers and Chase signed a record deal.
According to multiple reports, Chase has agreed to a four-year, $161 million deal, including $112 million. Chase essentially confirmed the news when he cited a handshake emoji report on social media. Higgins posted the same emoji on social media shortly after the transaction was reported.
Meanwhile, the official Bengals X appears to be posting images of the two pass-catchers and checking the news.
The deal marks Chase the highest paying non-quarterly in NFL history. That distinction was held soon by Browns Pass Rusher Miles Garrett. Miles Garrett recently signed an extension of $160 million over four years.
Higgins has agreed to a four-year, $115 million deal (including a full guarantee for the first two years) after playing the 2024 season under the franchise tag. The Bengals recently reapplied the franchise tag with the aim of working towards a long-term deal.
Teammates have since 2021, Chase and Higgins have undoubtedly become the NFL’s top receiving duo in their range.
Chase, a first-round pick in 2021, has come out of the 2024 season, and has been his fifth player since the league merger, leading the NFL in receptions, yards and touchdown receptions. Chase’s 46 touchdown catches since 2021 are the most in the NFL in that range.
The 2020 second round pick, Higgins has led two 1,000-yard reception seasons to the belt. Higgins was essential for the Bengals’ 2021 Super Bowl run. He caught 18 passes for 309 yards that year during the postseason. This included four catches for 100 yards in the Cincinnati Super Bowl defeat.
In addition to Chase and Higgins, the Bengals recently recognized one of Barrow’s other wishes by re-signing tight end Mike Geshiki to a three-year, $25.5 million deal. These signatures reinforce Bengal’s commitment to maximizing Barrow’s Prime Year following two non-playoff seasons.
The re-signment of Chase and Higgins will pose a legitimate threat to the Bengalis compete for AFC hegemony in 2025, assuming the defense will bounce off after it was historically worse during Cincinnati’s 4-8 start in 2025.
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Speaking of defense, the Bengals are currently trying to figure out what to do with pass rusher Trey Hendrixon. Hendrickson, the NFL leader with 17.5 sacks last season, wants to stay in Cincinnati, but he is also seeking a significant salary increase. It will be interesting to see if Bengal can do the same magic as Hendrixon, as did Chase and Higgins. According to NFL media, they have been contacting the side recently.
