The Cincinnati Bengals and star wide receiver Ja’Marr Chase are in the early stages of contract negotiations, but hurdles remain. According to a top NFL insider, the Bengals have already made an offer, yet there’s still significant ground to cover before a deal gets done.
With Chase poised to become one of the highest-paid non-quarterbacks in the league, the question now is: How close are the two sides to an agreement?
Ja’Marr Chase Contract Update: Bengals Star Poised to Reset WR Market Amid Extension Talks
In 2024, Chase sat out 17 training camp practices awaiting a contract extension that never came. He returned to the practice field in late August, betting on himself, and played the best football of his career. Chase deserves to become the highest-paid receiver in the league, and the Bengals know they will have to pay him or risk damaging their relationship with quarterback Joe Burrow.
Fast forward seven months, and expect the fourth-year receiver to reset the market.
“Chase is expected to reset the non-QB market,” Dianna Russini of The Athletic wrote on March 1. “An offer has been made by Cincinnati, but the two sides remain far apart in talks for now.”
Cincinnati drafted Chase with the No. 5 pick in the 2021 NFL Draft and he has one year remaining on his rookie deal. The Bengals exercised the fifth-year option on Chase in April, 2024, which fully guaranteed a salary of $21.8 million in 2025. His base salary in 2024 was $1.1 million.
But Chase has shown he’s worth exceedingly more than $21.8 million.
Chase Has Undeniable Case for Blockbuster Contract From Bengals
Chase’s numbers are undeniable. He led the NFL in catches (127), receiving yards (1,708), and touchdowns (17) in 2024. Over his first four years, he has accumulated 395 receptions, 5,425 yards, and 46 touchdowns, making it clear that he deserves to be one of the highest-paid receivers in the NFL.
Chase’s performance puts him in the same conversation as other elite players like Minnesota Vikings wide receiver Justin Jefferson, who secured a record $35 million per year deal, and Dallas Cowboys WR CeeDee Lamb, who is making $34 million annually.
ESPN’s NFL insider Adam Schefter predicted Chase would earn close to $40 million annually with his new deal, which will likely result in an extension of around $160 million.
“I think you’re looking at a deal in the neighborhood of about 40 million dollars a year; that’s what he’s going to be looking for, and we’ll see if the two sides can figure out a way to get that done,” Schefter said.
“Clearly, they want him back as they should want him back. He’s as good as any wide receiver in football, one of the best players in the league, and they’re going to want to get that deal done, and I’m going to guess that deal is somewhere around $40 million per year.”
Where Do the Bengals Land in Salary Cap Space Among NFL Teams?
On Feb. 28, the NFL announced its salary cap of $279.2 million per club for the 2025 season, ranking the Bengals at No. 9 among teams in cap space.
Cincinnati is lucky to have the $46.25 million in breathing room, as they’ll have plenty of expenditures coming down the pike.
Chase and defensive end Trey Hendrickson want new deals and wide receiver Tee Higgins is one of 21 Bengals free agents. It’s reported that Cincinnati will place the franchise tag on Higgins for a second consecutive season for a whopping $26.2 million.
The franchise tag window opened on Feb. 18, and the deadline to apply it is Tuesday, March 4, at 4 p.m. EST.