CINCINNATI — Joe Burrow's top two targets may be getting the long-term contract extensions they want very soon, according to multiple reports.
ESPN's Adam Schefter posted to X on Friday, saying that the "Bengals are actively working to get both wide receivers signed as soon as possible."
He went on to write that progress has been made "in recent days" regarding their long-term contract extensions.
Ja’Marr Chase is in the final year of his contract, and Tee Higgins is on the franchise tag — and in recent days progress has been made on both to get long-term contract extensions. https://t.co/3PhjadwS8o pic.twitter.com/JFzqa9t64N
— Adam Schefter (@AdamSchefter) March 14, 2025
NFL Network's Ian Rapoport and Tom Pelissero also said that "significant progress" has been made on their contract extension, with both deals possibly being announced "in the coming days."
"There is work to be done," Rapoport wrote. "But Joe Burrow's wish is close to coming true."
The #Bengals have made significant progress on massive contract extensions with star WRs Ja’Marr Chase and Tee Higgins, and both could be finalized in the coming days, sources tell me and @TomPelissero.
— Ian Rapoport (@RapSheet) March 14, 2025
There is work to be done. But Joe Burrow's wish is close to coming true. pic.twitter.com/rcIq2HHDiz
The news about the contract progress comes after Higgins was placed on the team's $26.2 million franchise tag for the second straight season.
Duke Tobin, the Bengals' director of player personnel, has previously voiced that he hopes to sign the 26-year-old to a long-term deal. Higgins was adamant last season that he did not enjoy playing without a long-term deal, and he previously requested a trade after first receiving the tag in March 2024.
The Bengals also have plans to make Chase the highest-paid non-quarterback in the NFL, an achievement that became a more expensive investment when Cleveland Browns defensive end Myles Garrett was granted a four-year extension work $40 million per year.
"He is going to end up being the No. 1 paid non-quarterback in the league. We're there. Let's get it done," Tobin previously said at the NFL scouting combine.
According to Schefter, Chase's new deal is expected to average somewhere in the range of $40.1 million to $41 million.
The expectation around the league is that Ja’Marr Chase’s new deal, if and when it gets done, will average somewhere in the range of $40.1 million to $41 million per year, topping Myles Garrett and making him the highest-paid non-QB in the NFL, as the Bengals said he would be. https://t.co/3PhjadwS8o
— Adam Schefter (@AdamSchefter) March 14, 2025
During the 2024 season, Chase led the league in receptions (127), yards receiving (1,708) and touchdown catches (17), becoming just the sixth wide receiver in the Super Bowl era to achieve the receiving triple crown.
The Bengals recently secured tight end Mike Gesicki with a 3-year deal, and they've picked up several others through free agency. Earlier this month, Cincinnati also allowed All-Pro edge rusher Trey Hendrickson to seek a trade. The decision came just a week after Tobin said the team would like to keep Hendrickson on "a longer-term basis."
