Inside the Bengals locker room: Teammate speaks out about Ja’Marr Chase and Tee Higgins’ new contracts

Joe Burrow will be hoping a change of look can inspire a change of fortune ahead of the 2025 NFL season, with the Cincinnati Bengals hoping to return to the playoffs after last year’s disappointment. 

Despite Burrow being named NFL Comeback Player of the Year, the Bengals didn’t feature the postseason for a second year running after finishing 9-8 in the AFC North, missing out on a wild card spot by a game. 

J’Marr Chase and Tee Higgins’ new contracts: salaries and length

Despite ultimately failing to achieve what they had set out, Cincinnati tied down wide receivers Ja’Marr Chase and Tee Higgins to $100 million-plus extensions during the offseason, with the numbers raising a few eyebrows. 

According to Spotrac, the value of Chase’s four-year contract ($161 million) makes him the league’s second best paid non-quarterback after the 49ers’ Nick Bosa, while Higgins’ three-year $115 million deal sees him enter the top 30. 

Bengals’ strength in offense, weakness in defense

Conversely, though, there are plenty who feel they are worth the outlay. In 2024, the Bengals’ boasted the NFL’s leading pass offense with 4,918 passing yards and 43 touchdowns, both league highs. 27 of those TDs were recorded by Chase (17) and Higgins (10). 

The issues, clearly, lay in defense rather than offense. 

Cincinnati star backs - and puts pressure on - big-earning teammates

Inside the Bengals locker room, offensive tackle Orlando Brown is backing his teammates to show they are worth their bumper new contracts, although he did appear to exert a little pressure on them to continue delivering the goods when the new season gets underway in September. 

Speaking on NFL Network’s “The Insiders” show, Brown believes the early signs in practice are hugely promising, and that Chase and Higgins have now been given the platform to perform at the very best of their capabilities. 

“We’re really special. I’m really proud of the way that we worked this offseason, just with the intent and focus from us as individuals, as players. Everything that the coaches threw at us, we were able to respond really well. I mean, I’m excited, man.

“At the end of the day, paying Tee and Ja’Marr, making them more comfortable, knowing that they’re going to be able to go out there and sell out even more than they have in the past, I think it’s only going to make us better, to be honest.”

When do the Bengals play next? Preseason and Week 1 schedules

Our first real glimpse of whether the Bengals are indeed “better” will come when they take on Super Bowl winners the Philadelphia Eagles in preseason on August 7.

Cincinnati will also face the Washington Commanders (August 18) and the Indianapolis Colts (August 23) before the real action gets underway in Week 1 of the new season. First up is a road game at the Cleveland Browns on September 7. 

Get your game on! Whether you’re into NFL touchdowns, NBA buzzer-beaters, world-class soccer goals, or MLB home runs, our app has it all.

Dive into live coverage, expert insights, breaking news, exclusive videos, and more – plus, stay updated on the latest in current affairs and entertainment. Download now for all-access coverage, right at your fingertips – anytime, anywhere.