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via Getty

via Getty

For the Bengals, the season ended on a disappointing note, but everything wasn’t gray. Tee Higgins, Ja’Marr Chase, and Trey Hendrickson gave their career-best performances. Higgins had 3 TDs and 131 yards against the Broncos in week 17, with 2 key catches in overtime. Whereas, Chase had a remarkable season that included a 264-yard, 3-touchdown game against the Baltimore Ravens. Hendrickson had 17.5 sacks in 17 starting games. With the season over, the contracts are looming big. Joe Burrow gave an update.

Enjoying his time at the Pro Bowl games, the signal caller explained the locker room feelings for these 3 players and revealed, “Yeah, we can make it happen. And just has to be right for everybody involved. I know players want to make it work. We all want to be together. So, I don’t see it not working out, but we’ll see.” The situation needs urgent attention from the Bengals front office.

 

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Ja’Marr Chase signed a 4-year $30.8 million fully guaranteed contract in 2021 with a $19 million signing bonus and an average annual salary of $7.7 million. However, the team has an option to use the franchise tag in 2025 with a $21.8 million base salary with the same cap hit and dead cap value.

For Tee Higgins, he signed a 1-year $21.8 million with the Bengals in 2024. But he is set to enter the free agency opening on March 12. ESPN insider Jeremy Fowler claimed that $30 million is the estimated price he might get in 2025. If that happens, he would become the highest-paid WR in the league.

The franchise signed a 2-year contract extension with Trey Hendrickson in 2023 that would pay him $15.8 million in base salary in 2025. It means they are safe for this year but would like to control the drama before it unfolds. The situation is tricky for them.

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Will Ja'Marr Chase's demands be met, or are the Bengals risking losing their top receiver?

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Ahead of any contract negotiations, their key receiver also surprised everyone with his demands. The management would be listening carefully.

Ja’Marr Chase reveals his contract demand

The 2024 season was unparalleled for the receiver in many ways. He became the 6th WR in the Super Bowl era as a triple crown winner by leading the league in receptions (127), receiving yards (1,708), and receiving touchdowns (17). It puts him in the spotlight. And the Bengals would definitely like to keep such a talented player.

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On December 31, Ja’Marr Chase revealed his demand to the front office while talking to ESPN’s Laura Rutledge and said, “At the end of the day, I just hope I get what’s fair. Fair is what I deserve. It’s what I deserve, it’s what I’ve worked for, how hard I worked for.” Well, his performance has been exemplary. Chase, for the first time in his career, had 1708 yards and 17 touchdowns in a single season. He had zero fumbles had 127 receptions out of 175 targets.

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HC Zac Taylor was impressed with his receiver during the regular season. He once even said that they couldn’t get him enough balls. But now, they would meet him at the negotiation table. The talks would determine if he stays or not. Fans are waiting for the outcome. It would shape up their 2025 season.

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Will Ja'Marr Chase's demands be met, or are the Bengals risking losing their top receiver?

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