Cincinnati Bengals wide receiver Ja’Marr Chase and tight end Tee Higgins have signed four-year contracts, with Chase’s deal worth $161 million and Higgins’ worth $115 million. The signings come after quarterback Joe Burrow campaigned for the duo to receive new deals, with both players citing Burrow’s support as a key factor in their negotiations.
Chase, a four-time Pro Bowl selection, will remain on the Bengals through 2029, while Higgins will stay through 2028. The signings are seen as a major coup for the franchise, which drafted Higgins in the second round in 2020 and Chase in 2021. Both players have been instrumental in leading the Bengals to back-to-back AFC Championship Games and a Super Bowl appearance in February 2022.
The market for wide receivers was a significant challenge for the Bengals, but Burrow’s efforts helped bring both players back. Higgins hired new agents last season, which may have contributed to his newfound momentum. The signings also marked an end to a tumultuous period in the negotiations, with Higgins being placed on the franchise tag in February.
Bengals coach Zac Taylor and director of player personnel Duke Tobin praised the duo’s performances, saying they “earned their extensions.” With both players now signed long-term, the Bengals are poised to compete for another AFC title and potentially make a deeper run in the postseason.
Source: https://www.espn.com/nfl/story/_/id/44308397/jamarr-chase-tee-higgins-look-push-other-bengals-new-heights