The Cincinnati Bengals are in the midst of a tricky free agency period. Between Tee Higgins and Trey Hendrickson, they have their hands full already, but a potential record-breaking extension for Ja’Marr Chase is looming in the background.
As contract negotiations begin for the superstar wide receiver, Chase is making his value clear. A spectacular 2024 campaign set the stage for his negotiations — with a bold shot on social media, he has made his mindset clear when it comes to a new deal.
Ja’Marr Chase Wants the Money and Makes It Clear
The Bengals have made it known they want to make Chase the highest-paid non-quarterback in NFL history. However, with every passing season, that number continues to rise. After Myles Garrett’s record extension, the bar is now set at $40 million per year.
But Chase isn’t budging. Thanks to a post on his Instagram, the four-time Pro Bowler made his plans for contract extensions clear. A picture of a calculator had the sentence, “Know your worth. Then add tax,” written on it, as was reposted on X.
Doing his best Andrew Garfield in “The Social Network” impression, the reigning triple-crown winner isn’t willing to move an inch. However, if the latest report from Ian Rapoport is anything to go by, Cincinnati will make the deal happen.
“It’s gonna sting for the Bengals, but I think they get it done. I actually think they probably get both of these guys,” Rapoport said. For a franchise that has historically shied away from paying up, it is a surprising new stance from the ownership group.
And even the Chase extension is being held up by the wide receiver himself, Rapoport believes. “I understand the Bengals get criticized. People are like, ‘Why have they not gotten the deal done?’ It takes two to get the deal done.
“And if you’re Ja’Marr Chase — I think the Bengals would like it done immediately, they have offered really close to that — it sounds to me like he’s like, ‘I got time. There’s no rush.’ Ja’Marr Chase is waiting. And even though it’s awesome that deals get done immediately, if you wait, they just get higher.”
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Coming off a season where he led the league in receptions (127), receiving yards (1,708), and touchdowns (17), Chase is certainly worthy of every penny he’s offered. But that number moving into the $40 million range was something that not many people anticipated.
Still, the belief is steadfast that Chase will remain a Bengal after he signs his latest contract. “I think he probably does [get more than $40 million per year]. And I don’t get the sense that the Bengals are far from it now.”