Is it a good idea for the Cincinnati Bengals to pay Joe Burrow, Ja’Marr Chase and Tee Higgins?
As the NFL offseason heats up and roster decisions loom large, the Cincinnati Bengals find themselves at a critical crossroads: Should they commit long-term, high-dollar contracts to their offensive trio of quarterback Joe Burrow, wide receiver Ja’Marr Chase, and wide receiver Tee Higgins?
On paper, the answer might seem obvious. Burrow, the face of the franchise, is one of the NFL’s elite quarterbacks. Chase is a generational talent at wideout, already earning All-Pro honors and making jaw-dropping plays on a regular basis. Higgins, though often seen as the No. 2 option behind Chase, is a legitimate WR1 in his own right — capable of dominating matchups and consistently moving the chains. Together, they form one of the most dangerous offensive cores in the league.
But the question isn’t about talent — it’s about financial flexibility and team-building strategy.
Joe Burrow has already been paid, signing a record-breaking five-year, \$275 million extension in 2023. That deal made him the highest-paid player in league history at the time, and rightly so. He’s the quarterback every team dreams of — poised, accurate, a natural leader, and capable of carrying a franchise deep into the postseason.
With Burrow locked in, the spotlight now shifts to the team’s dynamic receiving duo.
Ja’Marr Chase is eligible for a contract extension and will command top-tier receiver money — potentially north of \$30 million per season. Given his production, chemistry with Burrow, and star power, it would be difficult for the Bengals to justify letting him go. Chase is not only a statistical machine but a cornerstone of the team’s identity and marketability.
Tee Higgins, however, presents the biggest dilemma. After being franchise-tagged for the 2024 season, Higgins has expressed his desire for long-term security and a key role, whether in Cincinnati or elsewhere. While the Bengals would love to retain all three players, paying two high-end wideouts while already investing heavily in a quarterback — and still needing to fund other areas like the offensive line and defense — could severely strain their salary cap.
The NFL is a league of trade-offs, and teams that commit large percentages of their payroll to a few stars often struggle with depth elsewhere. If Cincinnati pays both Chase and Higgins premium deals, it may be forced to let go of key defensive playmakers or sacrifice depth across the roster. Injuries and attrition are inevitable, and the Bengals have already seen how quickly fortunes can change when Burrow isn’t protected or healthy.
Some analysts argue that if the Bengals had to choose, retaining Chase — Burrow’s most trusted weapon — is the smarter long-term play. Others believe Higgins’ versatility and reliability make him indispensable as well.
Ultimately, the Bengals are betting on continuity and firepower. If they can manage the cap wisely and build through the draft around their stars, keeping Burrow, Chase, and Higgins together could result in a Super Bowl window that stays open for years.
