Joe Burrow stuck to a single message in the entirety of 2024 and the offseason that followed. Bring back both receivers. But he put additional pressure on the Bengals‘ front office last month when he openly discussed a contract restructure in order to make it happen. He also praised the Super Bowl winners, Eagles, claiming they were the best in keeping their players. Finally, the office granted his wish. Both WRs Ja’Marr Chase and Tee Higgins got contracts. As the news spread, analysts had doubts about their remaining cap space.
The NFL star and Colts legend, Pat McAfee, was one of those. He took to X and tweeted, “I can’t believe Cincy got Chase and Higgins both done… CONGRATS TO BENGALS FANS.. your team is spending. Now… What do they do with the rest of the salary cap? Can Cincy make it back to Super Bowl convo?” It’s a direct question aimed at their defense.
I can’t believe Cincy got Chase and Higgins both done…
CONGRATS TO BENGALS FANS.. your team is spending.
Now…
What do they do with the rest of the salary cap? Can Cincy make it back to Super Bowl convo?
— Pat McAfee (@PatMcAfeeShow) March 17, 2025
DE Trey Hendrickson has signed no extension with the Bengals yet. Rumor mills are strongly churning different reports for Joe Burrow’s teammate. While his agent claimed two days back that they were talking to the franchise for a deal. ESPN’s Jeremy Fowler suggested otherwise.
He claimed that the defensive end could move to Pat McAfee’s former team. While talking about the pending trade, he said, “It seems like they still want to try to find a way to keep him, but the question is do they have the cash to do it? One team I’m watching for is the Indianapolis Colts because there are just a lot of ties to Hendrickson.” That’s right. Colts defensive coordinator Lou Anarumo spent 6 years at the Bengals before moving last year.
The big question – Where is the money? The big hope is restructuring the contract of their QB, Joe Burrow. He already accepted this. With a 5-year $275 million deal, they have $47 million cap space in 2025. They can move it to the next year or reshape it into a signing bonus.
According to Over the Cap, they now have $26.8 million in cap space. And they need more. The only way possible is modifying the contracts. Not only for the signal caller, but many other players’ deals could also come up for discussion. While they plan how to move ahead with the contracts, the Bengals fanbase is celebrating. Their receivers got record-breaking deals. It was unexpected!
Joe Burrow & co. get receivers back for $276 million deal
In 2024, Ja’Marr Chase became only the 5th player in Super Era history to achieve the triple crown. It basically means he had the highest receptions (127), receiving yards (1,708), and receiving touchdowns (17) in the league. The signal was obvious. He was set to grab an eye-popping contract extension. Joe Burrow wanted him back along with his deputy!
So, the Bengals signed a 4-year $161 million deal, with $112 million guaranteed. It’s an average of $40.25 million a year. With this, he became the highest-paid non-QB in the league. Fans were more concerned about the WR 2, Tee Higgins. They had earlier franchise-tagged him.
However, things changed on March 16 as they signed a 4-year $115 million deal. At an average of 28.75 million a year, they have also given him the stability and bag he wanted. With the first 2 years guaranteed. That was needed! It also made him the highest-paid WR2 in the league.
The Bengals have fulfilled the need of the hour. The only thing that needs to be seen is where they finish. They’re dreaming of only one thing: the Super Bowl. Joe Burrow will be expected to get back in it and win this year, especially with his demands fulfilled.
The post Pat McAfee Throws Serious Questions at Joe Burrow’s Bengals as Ja’Marr Chase and Tee Higgins Finalize $276M Deal appeared first on EssentiallySports.