About a week after the Cleveland Browns made superstar defensive end Myles Garrett the highest-paid non-quarterback in NFL history, a division rival and fellow Ohio team topped them.
The Cincinnati Bengals have reached an agreement with superstar wide receiver Ja’Marr Chase on a four-year, $161 million contract extension, with $112 million guaranteed, according to multiple reports, including ESPN’s Adam Schefter.
In addition to Chase, another Bengals wide receiver has also secured a new deal, according to reports.
Tee Higgins is set to sign a four-year, $115 million extension, with the first two years guaranteed, according to Fox Sports’ Jordan Schultz.
CNN has reached out to the Bengals for comment but has not received a response yet.
Chase, a former first-round pick from Louisiana State University, has been nearly unstoppable in his first four seasons in the league, recording 395 catches for 5,425 yards and 46 touchdowns.
Last season, Chase won the receiving triple crown, leading the league in receptions (127), receiving yards (1,708), and receiving touchdowns (17).
The 26-year-old Higgins, drafted in the second round of the 2020 NFL Draft from Clemson University, recorded 911 yards and 10 touchdowns last year.
At the NFL scouting combine in Indianapolis last month, Bengals general manager Duke Tobin expressed interest in signing both Chase and Higgins to long-term deals, including making Chase the highest-paid non-quarterback in NFL history.
“Ja’Marr is always going to be our priority,” Tobin told reporters. “He’s a fantastic football player. He’s going to end up being the No. 1 paid non-quarterback in the league. We’re there. Let’s get it done.”
