Cincinnati Bengals and Trey Hendrickson Contract Re-Open?!? First Four NCAA Basketball | OTB 3.18.25

Watch Off the Bench Presented by UDF with Chatterbox Sports Monday-Friday 10 a.m. - 12 p.m. LIVE on the Chatterbox Sports YouTube channel. SUBSCRIBE to the channel to ensure you never miss a thing. On March 17, 2025, the Cincinnati Bengals made a bold statement by securing massive contract extensions for their star wide receivers, Ja’Marr Chase and Tee Higgins, ensuring their dynamic offensive core remains intact alongside quarterback Joe Burrow. Chase, a four-time Pro Bowler and one of the NFL’s elite talents, signed a record-breaking four-year, $161 million deal with $112 million guaranteed, making him the highest-paid non-quarterback in league history. Higgins, a reliable and explosive No. 2 receiver, inked a four-year, $115 million contract, with the first two years fully guaranteed, cementing his status as the highest-paid WR2 in the NFL. Together, these deals total $276 million, a significant investment reflecting the Bengals’ commitment to building around their passing attack. Chase’s extension comes after a historic 2024 season where he led the league with 127 receptions, 1,708 yards, and 17 touchdowns, earning first-team All-Pro honors and a top-10 finish in MVP voting. His chemistry with Burrow, dating back to their LSU days, has been a cornerstone of Cincinnati’s offense, and this deal ensures that partnership thrives through 2029. Higgins, meanwhile, has been a consistent force since being drafted in 2020, amassing 330 receptions for 4,595 yards and 34 touchdowns over five (-five seasons. Despite injuries limiting him to 12 games in 2024, he still posted 73 catches for 911 yards and 10 touchdowns, proving his value as a big-play threat. His new contract ends speculation about his future after two years on the franchise tag, securing his long-term role in Cincinnati. These extensions signal a shift for the Bengals, a franchise historically cautious with spending, now prioritizing offensive firepower. With Burrow already on a $275 million deal, the trio’s combined salaries could consume nearly 40% of the 2025 cap, raising questions about defensive investment—especially with edge rusher Trey Hendrickson’s extension still unresolved. Hendrickson, coming off a 17.5-sack season, seeks a raise, but the Bengals’ focus on Chase and Higgins might limit their flexibility. For Bengals fans, this is a thrilling commitment to contention, locking in two of the league’s top receivers. Chase and Higgins celebrated the news with identical handshake emojis on social media, a nod to their brotherhood and shared triumph. As Cincinnati aims to reclaim AFC supremacy after missing the playoffs in 2024, these deals solidify an offense poised to dominate for years.