Cincinnati Bengals Kicking Off An Uncharacteristically Expensive Offseason With Chase, Higgins & Hendrickson Up For Extension

Since star quarterback Joe Burrow‘s sophomore season in the NFL, the Cincinnati Bengals have been preseason contenders each year – including, of course, a Super Bowl run in 2022.

Although Burrow receives the most attention, other players have been fundamental in elevating a Bengals squad that too often has had offensive-line and defensive deficiencies. A Bengals squad, notably, that is backed up by a stingy pocketbook; they have the least amount of money earmarked for non-quarterback players in the entire league.

Now, following a disappointing season where Cincinnati barely missed the playoffs despite a late-season revival, three important players are in need of a deal.

Ja’Marr Chase, who claimed the triple crown after leading the NFL in receptions, yards and touchdowns in the 2024 season, was the Bengals’ first-round pick in 2021. He’ll likely receive the richest deal ever for a wide receiver – possibly by a wide margin. Chase’s signing is not an if but a when.

More controversially, wide receiver Tee Higgins is up for a new deal for the second time in two years after the Bengals franchise tagged him last year. Higgins will hit free agency on March 12.

The Bengals are reportedly looking to sign Higgins long-term, which may be difficult with the batch of deals they’re tasked with constructing this year. Sources say they’re likely to opt for a second franchise tag if the sides aren’t able to reach a deal by March 4, the tag deadline, which would allow an additional four months to work on one. If a deal isn’t signed by July 12, Higgins would play on a salary of $26.17 million in 2025.

Finally, despite the failures of the Cincinnati defense this past season, there was one significant bright spot that nevertheless flew under the radar. His name is Trey Hendrickson, and he was named first-team All-Pro at defensive end for the 2024 season, recording a league-high 17.5 sacks and concluding as the runner-up Defensive Player of the Year.

Hendrickson has played out a four-year, $60 million contract with the Bengals that started in 2021, but the team is reportedly anxious to keep him as the cornerstone of their defense.

Burrow, meanwhile, has been clear on his wish to keep his teammates, up to and including restructuring his own contract.

“You could convert some of the money to a signing bonus, which will lower the cap hit,” Burrow said. “You can push some of the money to the back end of the contract. That lowers the cap hit. And then when you get to the back end of the contract, you can restructure it and convert it to a signing bonus. You can also just take less money.”

Burrow signed his own extension last offseason, at a whopping five years and $275 million. It’s no surprise the Bengals are looking to win with him – and soon.