Article Highlights:
– Ja’Marr Chase, Cincinnati Bengals’ wide receiver, might get a historic contract in the NFL.
– Analysts predict that Chase’s contract could exceed $35 million annually.
– Bengals have picked up the receiver’s fifth-year option for $21.8 million in 2025.
– Amon-Ra St. Brown and A.J. Brown’s recent mega-deals might be overshadowed by Chase’s future contract.
– Bengals are considering signing Chase soon to avoid market inflation.
– The Bengals have started preparing for receiver Tee Higgins’ likely departure.
Body:
Renowned Cincinnati Bengals wide receiver Ja’Marr Chase stands on the brink of an NFL contract that might set new records. However, the exact valuation of Chase’s contract is a debated topic among sports analysts. While Randy Mueller from The Athletic foresees astronomical paydays for young wide receivers, including Chase, it is the annual salary that appears discernable.
A Scramble Among NFL Stars
According to Mueller, the receiver market has adjusted twice over the previous month, with the potential for a further leap as athletes Justin Jefferson, CeeDee Lamb, Ja’Marr Chase, and Brandon Aiyuk prepare for new contracts. “Possibly, we might see annual contracts crossing the $35 million mark, constituting 13.7 percent of the salary cap, or potentially higher,” predicts Mueller. This situation sets the Minnesota Vikings, Dallas Cowboys, Cincinnati Bengals, and San Francisco 49ers grappling with major decisions that could impact their team structures.
Chase and his Rising Stardom
Entering his fourth NFL season, Chase has already gained impressive achievements as a two-time NFL All-Pro and a three-time Pro Bowler. Selected No. 5 overall by the Bengals from LSU in 2021, Chase signed a four-year contract worth $30.8 million. In April 2024, the Bengals confirmed the fifth-year option on Chase’s contract, ensuring his payment of $21.8 million in 2025.
The Pressure on the Bengals
While Mueller debates the feasibility of teams committing over 20 percent of their annual salary cap to a player, excluding quarterbacks, he urges the Bengals to consider a long-term deal with Chase promptly. The idea is to save potential expenses as market inflation seems inevitable after impending deals for Lamb and Jefferson.
According to Mueller, “With Tee Higgins possibly exiting after this season, it might force the Bengals to consider another high NFL Draft investment for the wide receiver spot next year.”
Outshining Existing Mega-deals
The anticipated contracts for Chase and Jefferson are predicted to surpass two substantial deals signed by NFL wide receivers in the 2024 offseason. Namely, Detroit Lions’ Amon-Ra St. Brown’s four-year $120 million contract extension with guarantees reaching $71 million and Philadelphia Eagles’ star A.J. Brown’s three-year $96 million contract extension with $84 million assured.
Bengals’ Draft Strategy
As Tee Higgins gears up to play on the franchise tag for $21.8 million in 2024, the Bengals seem prepared to part ways with the wide receiver. This situation underscores the need for further investment in wide receivers from the NFL draft, a strategy that the Bengals initiated in 2024. Naming Alabama wide receiver Jermaine Burton (No. 80 overall) has kickstarted this process. As an apprentice in 2024, Burton will get an opportunity to derive learnings from Chase and Higgins, sharpening his skills for the challenges that lie ahead.
Conclusion
The receiver draft strategy, coupled with Chase’s potential historical contract, signifies the Bengals’ readiness to transition and prioritize investment in new talent. As market dynamics in the NFL continue to evolve, teams need to stay proactive and adaptive, a skill that the Cincinnati Bengals are demonstrating with their strategical moves.