Bengals Say Ja’Marr Chase Will Become NFL’s Highest-Paid Non-QB

The Cincinnati Bengals are preparing to make wide receiver Ja’Marr Chase the NFL’s highest-paid non-QB.

What Did the Bengals Say About Ja’Marr Chase’s Contract?

“Ja’Marr is always going to be our priority. … He’s gonna end up being the No. 1 paid non-quarterback in the league.”

Bengals director of player personnel Duke Tobin on Ja’Marr Chase, Tee Higgins and Trey Hendrickson all seeking new contracts. pic.twitter.com/HfrNywFNrP

— NFL on ESPN (@ESPNNFL) February 25, 2025

Duke Tobin, the Bengals’ director of player personnel, spoke with reporters at the NFL scouting combine on Tuesday.

Impeding contract negotiations with Chase was one of the topics Tobin addressed. Judging by Tobin’s comments, the Bengals are ready to pay Chase top dollar in free agency.

“He is going to end up being the No. 1-paid non-quarterback in the league,” Tobin said via ESPN. “We’re there. Let’s get it done. The earlier we can do some of this stuff, the freer it gives us to build the rest of the team.”

The Bengals and Chase tried to negotiate a long-term extension last offseason to no avail. The Bengals picked up Chase’s fifth-year option of $21.816 million for 2025.

According to highest-paid non-quarterback in the NFL at $35 million per season. Dallas’ CeeDee Lamb and San Francisco’s Nick Bosa are tied for second behind Jefferson at $34 million per year.

Chase could not have picked a better time to have his best season as a pro. Chase won the receiving triple crown, leading the league in receptions (127), yards (1,708), and touchdowns (17).

Bengals Also Want To Extend Tee Higgins And Trey Hendrickson

NFL Combine @WLWT: Duke Tobin on negotiations with Tee Higgins

"I want him on my football team. Whenever I am in charge of a football team, I want Tee Higgins…we're in position to re-sign these guys and its a good position to be in." pic.twitter.com/aDDvKzCVGC

— Charlie Clifford (@char_cliff) February 25, 2025

Chase is not the only Bengals’ star searching for a long-term extension.

Chase’s running mate, Tee Higgins, is coming off a season where he played on the franchise tag for $21,816,000.

The Bengals intend to use the franchise tag on Higgins for a second consecutive season in hopes of g the wide receiver to a new deal.

“Our preference with Tee Higgins is to do a long-term agreement,” Tobin said via Charlie Clifford. “Always has been. It continues to be. We’ll work hard to get that done. We are fortunate, we’ve got a lot of really good football players. Fantastic football players. We are fortunate to be in a position to where we can fit them all in.”

Defensive end Trey Hendrickson also wants a contract extension after a league-high 17.5 sacks and First-Team All-Pro honors.

Hendrickson told Pat McAfee that he wants a new deal or a trade.

Like Chase and Higgings, Tobin wants to work things out with Hendrickson.

“Trey is super ionate,” Tobin said. “It’s exactly what makes him a great football player. He is super engaged, and we’re cognizant. He’s been a great g for us. We’ve been a great fit for him. He’s been a great fit for us. We would like to extend that. We would like to keep him not only happy but with us on a longer-term basis. He’s under contract right now, and we’re going to talk as the offseason goes. Hopefully, we’ll come to an agreement that everyone’s acceptable of. But are we there yet? We’re not there yet.”