Chase's $40M deal could rewrite NFL history
Ja’Marr Chase, the standout wide receiver for the Cincinnati Bengals, is in the spotlight as he could potentially become the first non-quarterback in NFL history to sign a contract worth $40 million per year.
This development comes as he approaches the final years of his current rookie contract, which runs through the 2025 season.
Chase signed a four-year, $30,819,641 contract with the Bengals in June 2021, which includes a signing bonus of $19,774,284 and guarantees totaling the entire contract amount.
His average annual salary is approximately $7.7 million. In 2024, he is set to earn a base salary of $1,055,000 along with a roster bonus of $3,807,679, resulting in a cap hit of $9,806,250. The Bengals have a fifth-year option for 2025, which would see Chase earning $21.8 million that year.
Earlier this year, the Bengals extended a four-year, $140 million offer to Chase, averaging $35 million per year. However, Chase declined, citing dissatisfaction with the structure of the guaranteed money.
The Bengals proposed that the guarantees vest by 2027, while Chase sought earlier assurances. This impasse highlights a critical misstep by the Bengals’ front office. By not securing Chase’s commitment then, they’ve inadvertently set the stage for a more expensive negotiation.
The wide receiver market has seen significant inflation. Justin Jefferson of the Minnesota Vikings set a precedent with a four-year, $140 million extension, including $110 million guaranteed, making him the highest-paid non-quarterback at the time.
Following suit, the Dallas Cowboys’ CeeDee Lamb secured a four-year, $136 million deal with $100 million guaranteed.
These contracts have established a new benchmark, one that Chase is well-positioned to surpass.
Let’s get straight to it: Ja’Marr Chase isn’t your average star receiver. His numbers back up his audacity. Since his rookie season, Chase has been a cornerstone for the Bengals’ offense, racking up 268 receptions, 3,717 yards, and 29 touchdowns in just 45 regular-season games.
Add his playoff performances to the mix—where he’s averaged over 80 receiving yards per game—and you understand why he’s in a league of his own.
Chase’s timing couldn’t be better. The NFL’s salary cap is expected to skyrocket in the coming years, providing room for record-setting contracts. At just 24 years old, Chase’s next deal will likely secure his prime years, making him the face of the Bengals for seasons to come.
Analysts project a four-year, $150 million extension with $120 million in guarantees—figures that would comfortably reset the market for receivers.
Could he push the $40 million mark? It’s possible. Chase’s dominance and marketability make him an outlier. If he delivers on his Triple Crown aspirations and takes the Bengals deep into the playoffs, his leverage will grow exponentially.
The Bengals hold the fifth-year option for Chase in 2025, but letting negotiations drag risks alienating their star. Chase’s camp has made it clear that they’re not interested in team-friendly delays. The Bengals must recognize that locking in Chase isn’t just about his production—it’s about cementing the team’s future as a Super Bowl contender.
Loyalty goes both ways. If Cincinnati values what Chase has brought to the franchise, they need to act decisively. Playing hardball with a player of his caliber isn’t just risky—it’s bad business.
Read More: Ja’Marr Chase scores more fantasy points vs. Ravens than these NFL stars through Week 9
Image: © Sam Greene/The Enquirer / USA TODAY NETWORK via Imagn Images
NFL 
