Ja’Marr Chase has been every bit as advertised since the Cincinnati Bengals took him with the No. 5 overall pick in the 2021 NFL Draft.
The Bengals just made Chase the highest-paid non-QB in NFL history, giving him a four-year, $161 million contract with $112 million guaranteed. Let’s look at Chase’s career to date and the financial outlook for the Bengals.
Ja’Marr Chase’s On-Field Production
Chase is coming off an incredible 2024 campaign:
- 1st in receptions (127)
- 1st in receiving yards (1,708)
- 1st in yards after catch (787)
- 1st in receiving TDs (17)
Chase has consistently been one of the most complete wide receivers in the league. Since 2021, he ranks:
- 1st in receiving TDS (46)
- 2nd in yards after catch (2,400)
- 3rd in receiving yards (5,425)
- 5th in targets (582)
- 6th in receptions (395)
Even as a rookie, Chase was dominant, recording the second-most receiving yards by a rookie since the AFL-NFL merger (trailing only Los Angeles Rams wide receiver Puka Nacua).
Most Receiving Touchdowns Since 2021 Season |
|
| Ja’Marr Chase | 46 |
| Mike Evans | 44 |
| Davante Adams | 41 |
| Tyreek Hill | 35 |
| Cooper Kupp | 33 |
| CeeDee Lamb | 33 |
| Justin Jefferson | 33 |
| Amon-Ra St. Brown | 33 |
Chase’s chemistry with Joe Burrow instantly carried over from LSU to the NFL. Here are Burrow’s numbers when targeting his No. 1 wide receiver in Cincinnati:
- 25.3% target share
- 67.9% completion percentage
- 44 TDs/18 INTs
- 111.1 passer rating
- +0.38 EPA per dropback
Chase’s first four NFL seasons are among the best ever for a wide receiver. His 5,425 receiving yards trail only Justin Jefferson and Michael Thomas all time.
Most Receiving Yards Through First 4 Seasons in NFL History |
|
| Justin Jefferson | 5,899 |
| Michael Thomas | 5,512 |
| Ja’Marr Chase | 5,425 |
| Randy Moss | 5,396 |
| CeeDee Lamb | 5,145 |
Financial Impact of Chase’s Contract
Chase’s rookie contract was a four-year deal worth $30.8 million, including a $19.7 million signing bonus.
Chase is approaching the fifth-year option of his rookie contract. In 2025, Chase will earn a base salary of $21.8 million, the fourth-highest among NFL wide receivers.
Most Total Cash Among Wide Receivers for 2025 Season |
|
|---|---|
| Player | 2025 Total Cash Salary |
| Davante Adams | $36.2M |
| Justin Jefferson | $31.6M |
| A.J. Brown | $29.7M |
| Tyreek Hill | $28.6M |
| CeeDee Lamb | $27.8M |
| Brandon Aiyuk | $24.8M |
| Calvin Ridley | $23.0M |
| Ja’Marr Chase | $21.8M |
| Mike Evans | $21.0M |
| DJ Moore | $20.9M |
Now, after a career year, he inked a lucrative new contract that will pay him $40.25 million per season.
Before the Chase and Higgins deals, the Bengals ranked eighth in cap space this offseason with just over $62 million. Notable Bengals unrestricted free agents over the next two offseasons include:
- Trey Hendrickson
- Sam Hubbard
- Sheldon Rankins
- B.J. Hill
- Mike Hilton
- Trent Brown
- Geno Stone
- Germaine Pratt
Burrow’s $55 million average annual salary is easily the largest contract on Cincinnati’s books. Burrow is the second-highest-paid quarterback in the NFL in terms of average annual value (tied with Buffalo Bills QB Josh Allen, Green Bay Packers QB Jordan Love, and Jacksonville Jaguars QB Trevor Lawrence). The only QB earning more is Dallas Cowboys QB Dak Prescott, who makes $60 million per year.
Spotrac’s projected market value for Chase was a four-year, $134 million deal ($33.5 million annually). However, the Bengals decided to make Chase the highest-paid wide receiver (and highest-paid non-QB) in NFL history.
Before Chase signed this massive deal that will pay him $40.25 million annually, Minnesota Vikings superstar Justin Jefferson was the highest-paid wide receiver in the league (earning $35 million per year).