Ja’Marr Chase is fresh off chasing a historic Triple Crown season (127 receptions, 1,708 yards, 17 touchdowns)! While the Chiefs missed their third, Chase made sure to hit the 3s. And now, deservedly so, he is staring down a contract that could make him the highest-paid wide receiver in NFL history. And you better believe Joe Burrow is watching closely. “He works really hard for it. He’s obviously a great player, great person,” Burrow said. Translation? Pay the man.
But Cincy’s front office has a monster decision on its hands and the price tag? A cool $40 million per year if they want to keep Ja’Marr in stripes. And JB happy…
This isn’t just about money. It’s about legacy, Super Bowls, and keeping one of the league’s deadliest QB-WR duos intact. Burrow has already been vocal about wanting both Chase and Tee Higgins locked up long-term. But let’s be real—the numbers are brutal.
Chase’s market value has exploded past $40M per year, while Higgins, who’s expected to get the franchise tag, could easily fetch $30M+ on the open market. And let’s not forget Joe Burrow’s $55M annual paycheck. Add it all up, and the Bengals are about to spend an absurd amount just to keep their offensive core intact. Can they afford it? More importantly—can they afford not to?
Paying Chase means committing nearly 15% of the salary cap to one player. That’s a massive chunk, especially when Cincinnati still needs to figure out extensions for key guys like Trey Hendrickson and Logan Wilson. This isn’t Madden—you can’t just throw money around without consequences.
Locking in Chase at $40M would limit free agency flexibility, potentially weaken depth, and force some tough decisions on the defensive side of the ball. But if you let him walk? You risk watching Burrow’s most dangerous weapon leave town.
Here’s where it gets messy—Chase almost had a deal locked in before last season. As Fox’s Jordan Schultz reported: the WR was willing to sit out games to get what he wanted. Instead, he bet on himself, put up a historic season, and now? The price just skyrocketed. With Justin Jefferson resetting the market at $35M per year, Chase isn’t just looking to top that—he’s looking to shatter it. Good luck with that…
Cincinnati either pays up now or risks a holdout that could derail their season before it even begins.
The Bengals’ Super Bowl window is open—but for how much longer? Their offense is built around Burrow, Chase, and Higgins, but keeping all three feels nearly impossible. Something’s got to give. The Who Dey’s getting anxious… Plus, the market won’t wait, and neither will Chase.
The post Bengals Face $40M Hurdle in Ja’Marr Chase Contract as Joe Burrow Sends Clear Message to Front Office appeared first on EssentiallySports.