Chase, Higgins attain extensions with Bengals. Chase shall be NFL’s highest-paid non-QB, AP supply says

The Cincinnati Bengals have agreed to four-year extensions with receivers Ja’Marr Chase and Tee Higgins, assuring that Joe Burrow could have his prime two targets with him for a while.

An individual aware of the negotiations advised The Related Press that Chase will change into the highest-paid non-quarterback in NFL historical past, incomes $161 million, together with $112 million assured. That surpasses the $40 million per yr common by Cleveland cross rusher Myles Garrett.

Higgins will get $115 million. The Bengals positioned the franchise tag on Higgins, however had been hopeful of getting a brand new deal performed.

The individual spoke to the AP on situation of anonymity as a result of the crew has not introduced the transfer.

Fox Sports activities was the primary to report on the extensions.

Chase led the league in receptions (127), yards receiving (1,708) and landing catches (17) this previous season, turning into simply the sixth large receiver within the Tremendous Bowl period to realize the receiving triple crown.

Bengals director of participant personnel Duke Tobin reiterated lately on the NFL scouting mix that he needed to make Chase one of many highest-paid gamers within the league.

“Ja’Marr is all the time going to be our precedence,” Tobin stated. “He’s a unbelievable soccer participant. He’s going to finish up being the No. 1 paid non-quarterback within the league. We’re there. Let’s get it performed.”

Chase leads the league in receiving touchdowns (46), third in receiving yards (5,425) and sixth in receptions (395) since being the fifth general decide and AP Offensive Rookie of the Yr in 2021.

He was an All-Professional choice for the primary time in 2024 after having three video games with a minimum of 10 catches and 177 yards. That included 11 catches for 264 yards and three touchdowns in a 35-34 loss at Baltimore in a Thursday evening sport.

Higgins was tied for sixth within the league this previous season with 10 landing catches. He additionally had 73 receptions for 911 yards and averaged 12.5 yards per catch.

His finest sport final season was on Dec. 28 towards Denver, when he had 11 receptions for 131 yards and three touchdowns, together with a 3-yard rating in time beyond regulation that saved the Bengals alive for an additional week within the postseason chase. Cincinnati received its remaining 5 video games to complete 9-8, however missed the playoffs for the second straight yr.

“You may pull up three years in the past, speaking about doing a long-term take care of Tee and right here we’re as we speak, nonetheless speaking about doing a long-term deal,” Tobin stated. “Every time I’m answerable for a soccer crew, I would like Tee Higgins and so I’m going to do what I can to get Tee Higgins.”

Higgins was a second-round decide by the Bengals in 2020, the identical season Burrow was the highest general decide. Higgins has a minimum of 900 receiving yards in 4 of his 5 seasons, and had greater than 1,000 yards in 2021 and ‘22.

The Bengals are additionally hoping to achieve an extension with Trey Hendrickson regardless of the All-Professional edge rusher receiving permission to hunt a commerce. Hendrickson can also be going into the ultimate yr of his contract after main the league with 17 1/2 sacks final season.

“We now have plenty of actually good soccer gamers, unbelievable soccer gamers. And we’re lucky to be able the place we are able to match all of them in. We’ve managed our cap properly,” Tobin stated. “We wish a excessive payroll and low lifeless cash, so the individuals which can be in Cincinnati enjoying for us can get all the cash.

“We wish to re-sign these guys, reward them for his or her potential degree and add to the soccer crew. It’s a tall activity, however we predict we’re as much as it.”