NFL News: Bengals secure historic contract extensions for Joe Burrow’s key teammates

As one of the standout quarterbacks in the previous NFL season, Joe Burrow played a key role in the Cincinnati Bengals‘ impressive campaign. With the goal of strengthening their roster, the Bengals are actively seeking top talent while remaining mindful of the challenges ahead and the contributions of their current players.

Just days before the NFL Draft, the Bengals confirmed what had been widely speculated. Two of Burrow’s key teammates received major contract extensions, not only securing their future with the team but also setting new financial benchmarks.

In a historic move, Tee Higgins and Ja’Marr Chase didn’t just sign four-year extensions, they also became the highest-paid players in their respective categories. According to NFL insider Adam Schefter, Chase is now the league’s highest-paid non-quarterback, while Higgins holds the title of the highest-paid WR2 in the NFL.

“The Bengals have agreed to record deals making Ja’Marr Chase the highest-paid non-QB and Tee Higgins the highest-paid WR2 in the league, per sources. The deals were in place all weekend and Higgins announced the agreement,“ Schefter shared on his X account.

Ja’Marr Chase, wide receiver of the Cincinnati Bengals.

Burrow’s teammates’ contract details

While discussing the historic contract extensions, Schefter also revealed the financial details of the deals. With these agreements, Chase and Higgins have become the highest-paid wide receiver duo in NFL history, a significant boost for the Bengals heading into the upcoming season.

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“Ja’Marr Chase agreed to a four-year, $161 million extension. Tee Higgins agreed to a four-year deal worth about $115 million. Their new contracts will make them the NFL’s highest-paid WR duo,” Schefter shared on his X account. Now, the big question is how the Bengals will manage their payroll with these major deals alongside Burrow’s contract.

According to NFL insider Albert Breer, the Bengals will have to manage a total of $110 million annually across those three contracts. However, the team may still have financial flexibility. “If you do the math on the deals for Joe Burrow, Ja’Marr Chase, and Tee Higgins, the contracts add up to about $110 million per year. It’s a big number, for sure. But with the cap expected to top $300 million next year, hardly impossible to work around,” Breer noted on his X account.

Highest-paid non-QBs in the NFL

With Chase now leading the list, fans will be closely watching these top-earning non-quarterbacks as they take the field next season. One standout on the list recently made headlines with his move from the San Francisco 49ers to the Buffalo Bills: Nick Bosa.

Here’s the ranking:

• Ja’Marr Chase: $40.25 million
• Myles Garrett: $40 million
• Maxx Crosby: $35.5 million
• Justin Jefferson: $35 million
• Nick Bosa: $34 million
• CeeDee Lamb: $34 million