The Bengals started the 2025 offseason with around $46 million in cap space. Despite this, they made headlines by locking in long-term deals for their star wide receivers, Ja’Marr Chase and Tee Higgins.
You might think that due to the salary cap, these extensions would be small, but that’s not the case. Instead, the Bengals made both players the highest-paid WR1 and WR2 in NFL history.
The Bengals needed to sign both Ja’Marr Chase and Tee Higgins, but their salary demands were really high. But GM Duke Tobin made the deal happen, even though many thought it wasn’t possible given the salary cap problem.
Ja’Marr Chase will sign a 4-year, $161 million deal with $112 million guaranteed. This salary makes him the highest-paid non-quarterback in NFL history, just beating Myles Garrett by $1 million.
BREAKING: #Bengals WRs Ja'Marr Chase and Tee Higgins exclusively tell me they’ve agreed to contract extensions with the team.
— Jordan Schultz (@Schultz_Report) March 17, 2025
Ja'Marr gets: 4-years, $161M with $112M guaranteed — making him the highest-paid non-QB in NFL history.
Tee gets: 4-years, $115M with the first two… pic.twitter.com/zbdnEDELgz
Tee Higgins also signed a four-year extension worth $115 million, with the first two years fully guaranteed. He had been franchise-tagged for the second year in a row, but by turning it into a long-term deal, the Bengals lowered his immediate cap hit.
The Bengals also restructured quarterback Joe Burrow’s contract to lower his cap hit for the 2025 season. The move gave the team more space to sign Chase and Higgins.
Fans react to Bengals’ impossible contract moves
The Cincinnati Bengals have shocked NFL fans with what many are calling “impossible” contract moves to lock in their star wide receivers. Fans are reacting on Twitter, calling it “crazy” and “mad” moves.
@tbailey1976 commented, “$276 million on two wide receivers is crazy with that defense. And $40 million per year for a wide receiver? Holy smokes.”
$276 million on two wide receivers is crazy with that defense. And $40 million per year for a wide receiver? Holy smokes.
— Tonya Bailey (@tbailey1976) March 17, 2025
Jamar Chase is elite, no doubt, but I’m not sure that’s how you build a team and win a Super Bowl. Anyway, best of luck to Joey and the Bengals and congrats…
@cardking32 noted, “This feels bonkers. So Burrow Chase and Higgins now make up roughly 44% of the salary cap. Average per year of course. Cap hits in sure are different. Just wild.”
This feels bonkers. So Burrow Chase and Higgins now make up roughly 44% of the salary cap. Average per year of course. Cap hits in sure are different. Just wild.
— Matt R (@cardking32) March 17, 2025
@Herald41039718 noted, “Never seen 2 extensions like this at the same time before.”
Never seen 2 extensions like this at the same time before
— Herald J. Kuntz (Alpha Male) (@Herald41039718) March 17, 2025
@outstndnbrandon added, “LMAOOO $70M/yr for 2 WR is fucking mental. Bengals gonna Bengal.”
LMAOOO $70M/yr for 2 WR is fucking mental. Bengals gonna Bengal.
— 👽 (@outstndnbrandon) March 17, 2025
@carlymersky said, “Banggggg finally.”
Banggggg finally
— Carly (@carlymersky) March 17, 2025
@APCEngineer wrote, “Well done and deserved for the young money you need to keep the Franchisee QB ow it’s time too win a few CHIPS no excuses they all need too stay healthy.”
Well done and deserved for the young money you need to keep the Franchisee QB ow it’s time too win a few CHIPS no excuses they all need too stay healthy.
— Julian.Helmi@primeenergyusa.com (@APCEngineer) March 17, 2025
