Cincinnati Bengals DVOA, Stats, & NFL Rankings

After signing wide receiver Ja'Marr Chase to a record four-year, $161 million deal with $112 million guaranteed on Sunday night, the Cincinnati Bengals then turned around and signed receiver Tee Higgins to a four-year, $115 million deal to make him the highest-paid No. 2 wideout in NFL history, according to FOX Sports' Jordan Schultz. The first two years of Higgins' new deal are guaranteed. Cincy put the franchise tag on Higgins for the second straight year, but it only served as a placeholder before they locked the 26-year-old up long term. Although the former second-rounder (33rd overall) in 2020 out of Clemson only played in 12 games (nine starts) in 2024 due to injuries, he excelled when on the field and finished with a 73-911-10 line. His 10 scores were a new career-high. Although Chase takes valuable targets away from Higgins, he still has two 1,000-yard seasons and two 900-yard seasons, making him a strong WR2 target in fantasy.

The Cincinnati Bengals signed wide receiver Ja'Marr Chase to a four-year, $161 million deal with $112 million guaranteed on Sunday to make him the highest-paid non-quarterback in NFL history, according to FOX Sports' Jordan Schultz. The 25-year-old All-Pro wideout is now under contract with the Bengals for the next five years for $182.816 million. The former fifth overall pick in 2021 out of LSU was deserving of the record contract after leading the league in receptions (127), receiving yards (1,708), touchdowns (17) and yards per game (100.5) in 17 games (16 starts) for the Bengals in his fourth year in the league in 2024. Chase has now been a Pro Bowler in each of his four years in the NFL and has put up at least 1,046 yards and seven touchdowns every year. With Tee Higgins also coming back and with Joe Burrow throwing him the football, Chase will be the unquestioned top receiver in fantasy this fall.

According to Ian Rapoport of the NFL, the Cincinnati Bengals have made "significant progress on massive contract extensions" regarding wide receivers Ja'Marr Chase and Tee Higgins. Per Rapoport, both players could have new contracts over the coming days. Quarterback Joe Burrow has advocated not splitting up the star wideouts, and he could get his wish granted in short order. Cincinnati has already franchise-tagged Higgins twice, so their only option is to pay, trade, or let him walk. More so, they've put off signing Chase to the bank-breaking deal he's deservedly owed as the price tag continues to rise after his stellar triple-crown winning 2024. It'd be an excellent move for the Bengals. However, the trick lies in not financially handicapping themselves for years to come. Rapoport notes there is still work to be done, but the ramifications of this situation only stand to benefit the team for the time being.