As soon as it became clear the Bengals would be paying Joe Burrow top-tier money, Cincinnati had to start sorting out the rest of its financial puzzle.
While uncompleted, the picture is becoming clearer. Burrow is signed to a five-year, $275 million deal that leads the NFL in average annual salary. Tee Higgins has been franchise tagged, and is the only player tagged in 2024 who didn't receive an extension.
Ja'Marr Chase, meanwhile, awaits his own pay day. It feels as if he's next.
"He's a key player," Bengals owner Mike Brown told reporters Monday, via WLWT's Olivia Ray. "Next to Joe, he's our next one, and he knows it. We know it. This may take a while.
"We are gonna bend over backwards to get it done. I can't tell you when though."
Thanks to Chase's rookie deal -- which includes a fifth-year option worth $21.816 million -- the Bengals have some built-in protection. The market also doesn't quite call for urgency, not after Chase's former LSU teammate, Justin Jefferson, recently signed a four-year, $140 million deal, which could be used as a framework for Chase's extension.
Because of this, such an extension might not happen soon. It could be an offseason matter.
"I would tell you that's a hard one, too," Brown said. "With the cap and how it works, it's a little different. Things can happen, opportunities can arise, unexpectedly even, and you can put deals together. No, we're not gonna say, 'Oh no, we're not gonna do that deal,' if it's the right deal. But it's not so likely that this is the good time to negotiate. The offseason is a better time for that.
"We're gonna try to keep focused on the football part. I'm not gonna rule anything out but I will tell you the dye has probably been cast."
Chase sat out of OTAs because of the contract, but showed up for mandatory minicamp, suggesting Chase might report on time for camp with the understanding the Bengals are focused on taking care of him -- eventually.
Bengals veterans report on Tuesday.
