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As soon as it became clear the Bengals would be paying Joe Burrow top-tier money, Cincinnati had to start sorting out the rest of its financial puzzle.
While uncompleted, the picture is becoming clearer. Burrow is signed to a five-year, $275 million deal that leads the NFL in average annual salary. Tee Higgins has been franchise tagged, and is the only player tagged in 2024 who didn’t receive an extension.
Ja'Marr Chase, meanwhile, awaits his own pay day. It feels as if he’s next.
“He’s a key player,” Bengals owner Mike Brown told reporters Monday, via Cincinnati Bengals Talk. “Next to Joe, he’s our next one, and he knows it. We know it. This may take a while.
We are going to make every possible effort to complete it. However, I can’t provide a specific timeline.
Thanks to Chase’s rookie deal — which includes a fifth-year option worth $21.816 million — the Bengals have some built-in protection. The market also doesn’t quite call for urgency, not after Chase’s former LSU teammate, Justin Jefferson, recently signed a four-year, $140 million deal, which could be used as a framework for Chase’s extension.
Therefore, such an extension may not occur promptly. It could potentially be a matter to address during the offseason.
Brown commented, “I must admit, that’s a tricky question. The cap system works in a unique way, providing unexpected opportunities and enabling deal formations. We certainly won’t refuse a good deal, but it’s unlikely that this is the best time to negotiate. The offseason is generally a more favorable time for such negotiations.”
We’re going to attempt to concentrate on the football aspect. I won’t exclude any possibilities, but it’s likely that the outcome is already determined.
Chase sat out of OTAs because of the contract, but showed up for mandatory minicamp, suggesting Chase might report on time for camp with the understanding the Bengals are focused on taking care of him — eventually.
Bengals veterans report on Tuesday.
