The Cincinnati Bengals have made a decisive move to keep their star-studded offensive trio intact, re-signing both wide receivers Tee Higgins and Ja’Marr Chase to lucrative contracts. With quarterback Joe Burrow already secured on a record-breaking deal, Cincinnati is making a bold financial commitment to ensure their core remains together for years to come. However, this decision also means a significant portion of the team’s salary cap will be allocated to just three players, raising questions about roster flexibility moving forward.
Joe Burrow’s massive five-year, $275 million contract extension, signed in 2023, made him the highest-paid player in NFL history at the time. The deal averages $55 million per year, with structured cap hits that will increase in the later years of the contract.
Now, with Higgins and Chase both signing long-term extensions, the Bengals will have a considerable chunk of their salary cap tied up in their passing attack.
Chase, a two-time Pro Bowler and one of the NFL’s premier receivers, was always expected to command a top-market deal. His new contract, signed at an average of $40.25 million per year, places him as the highest-paid receiver in league history.
Higgins, while not quite on Chase’s level, is still a high-end No. 2 receiver with No. 1 potential on many teams. His deal was signed at the $28.75 million per year range, which is in line with other top-tier receivers in today’s market.
With Burrow, Chase, and Higgins under contract, the Bengals will be committing an estimated $125 million per year to their star quarterback and two receivers. Given the projected salary cap of around $279.2 million for the 2025-26 season, that means roughly 44.7% of Cincinnati’s cap space will be dedicated to just three players.
This is an unprecedented allocation of cap resources, especially for a team that still needs to build a competitive roster on both sides of the ball. For comparison, the Kansas City Chiefs currently allocate around 36% of their cap to Patrick Mahomes, Travis Kelce, and their top receivers. The Bengals’ situation will be even more top-heavy, putting pressure on the front office to draft well and find cost-effective talent elsewhere.
Re-signing both Chase and Higgins ensures that Burrow will have his top weapons for the foreseeable future. Cincinnati’s passing attack will remain one of the most dangerous in the NFL, giving them a chance to contend for Super Bowls as long as Burrow stays healthy.
While the offense remains elite, the challenge will be maintaining a balanced roster. High-priced veterans on defense, such as Trey Hendrickson and D.J. Reader could become cap casualties in the coming seasons.
Cincinnati will need to follow a strategy similar to teams like the Chiefs and Eagles—investing heavily in stars while filling out the roster with young, inexpensive talent. Smart drafting and bargain free-agent signings will be crucial to maintaining a championship-caliber team.
The Bengals have officially gone all-in on their offensive core, ensuring that Burrow, Chase, and Higgins remain together. While this guarantees an elite passing game, it also presents financial challenges that will require savvy roster management. Whether this bold strategy leads to a Super Bowl remains to be seen, but one thing is certain: Cincinnati’s offense will be one of the most exciting in the NFL for years to come
