The Cincinnati Bengals had a tough task this offseason — finding a way to extend star receivers Ja’Marr Chase and Tee Higgins. Keeping both seemed nearly impossible, but the Bengals managed to secure long-term deals for both players. Even their agent was shocked they were able to return.
Bengals star quarterback Joe Burrow wanted both of his top targets back, and he got his wish. Burrow and Chase’s connection goes back to their LSU days, while he and Higgins have built strong chemistry in Cincinnati. Now, the dynamic duo is staying put after a surprising turn of events.
Tee Higgins and Ja’Marr Chase’s Agent Reacts
Chase signed a four-year, $161 million extension, while Higgins agreed to a four-year, $115 million deal. Their agent, Rocky Arceneaux, admitted he didn’t expect both to return. In an interview with the Cincinnati Enquirer’s Kelsey Conway, he explained how the deals came together.
“Prior to the combine, I didn’t feel like there was a chance in hell to get both of them to stay in Cincinnati. And after the combine, obviously after they had tagged Tee, we had some opportunities to talk to other teams and try to position Tee in the best-case scenario for him with his career going forward,” Arceneaux said.
The NFL Combine seemed to be the turning point. Chase was always expected to return with a record extension — it was just a matter of when. Higgins, meanwhile, was franchise-tagged for the second straight year to prevent him from reaching free agency, leaving the Bengals with two options: trade him for compensation or extend him.
“And we later learned that the Bengals were declining conversations about compensation for Tee. And that’s when I realized that they were more inclined to reward him instead of trading him. So, at that point, I think the structure and the tone of the negotiations took a turn for the better,” Arceneaux said.
By rejecting trade offers for Higgins, the Bengals made it clear they wanted to keep him, which seemed unlikely before the franchise tag. Since other teams couldn’t acquire him, Arceneaux and Higgins had leverage to negotiate a deal. In what felt like a long shot, both players secured major contracts and will continue as one of the best receiving duos in the league.
Higgins, Chase, and Joe Burrow’s Connection
In their four seasons together, Chase and Higgins have combined for six 1,000-yard seasons — Chase in all four years and Higgins in two. They’ve totaled 74 receiving touchdowns and are a nightmare for defenses, with Chase’s speed and Higgins’ physicality creating mismatches all over the field.
Burrow will be relieved to have both weapons locked in long term, avoiding any distractions about the future of the franchise. The Bengals should boast one of the league’s top offenses, especially after career years from Burrow and Chase. Chase won the Triple Crown this season — leading the NFL in receptions, receiving yards, and touchdowns.
Meanwhile, Burrow put up MVP-caliber numbers, though the team’s struggles kept him from receiving full recognition.
With Higgins, Burrow, and Chase lighting up defenses next season, the Bengals pulled off what once seemed impossible — securing their star receivers with life-changing extensions and keeping their offensive core intact.