The Cincinnati Bengals entered the 2025 NFL offseason hoping to agree to long-term extensions with top receivers Ja’Marr Chase and Tee Higgins.
The Bengals achieved that goal Sunday, according to Fox Sports’ Jordan Schultz.
Cincinnati is signing Chase and Higgins to top-dollar deals to make them the highest-paid receiver duo in the NFL. The two talents will make a combined $276 million over four years, good for a combined average annual value (AAV) of $69 million.
The previous record for a receiver duo was the $58.3 million in AAV given to Tyreek Hill and Jaylen Waddle of the Miami Dolphins.
Here’s a look at how Chase and Higgins’ individual deals compare to those of other top receivers league-wide.
NFL STATS CENTRAL: The latest NFL scores, schedules, odds, stats and more.
Ja’Marr Chase contract details
Chase signed a four-year deal to make him the highest-paid non-quarterback in the NFL. Below are the terms of the deal, per Spotrac.com.
- Term: 4 years
- Total value: $161 million
- Average annual value (AAV): $40.25 million
- Guaranteed money: $112 million
Chase’s deal comes after he led the NFL in receptions (127), receiving yards (1,708) and receiving touchdowns (17) during the 2024 season. He joined Steve Smith (2005) and Cooper Kupp (2021) as the only receivers to win the “Triple Crown” since 2000.
JA’MARR CHASE CONTRACT: Full details of new deal with Bengals
Tee Higgins contract details
Like Chase, Higgins inked a four-year deal, making the 26-year-old the highest-paid No. 2 receiver in the league. Below are the terms of the deal, per Spotrac.com.
- Term: 4 years
- Total value: $115 million
- Average annual value (AAV): $28.75 million
- Guaranteed money: TBD
It isn’t yet clear how much guaranteed money Higgins received as part of his deal, but Schultz reports the first two years of his contract are fully guaranteed.
Higgins logged 73 catches for 911 yards and a career-high 10 touchdowns for the Bengals last season. He achieved those numbers despite playing in just 12 games due to injury.
TEE HIGGINS CONTRACT: Full details of new deal with Bengals
Highest-paid NFL WRs
Chase is now the highest-paid receiver in NFL history while Higgins ranks top 10 across most of the notable financial categories. Below is a look at the league’s highest-paid receivers in AAV, total contract value and guaranteed money.
AAV
- Ja’Marr Chase, Bengals: $40.25 million
- Justin Jefferson, Vikings: $35 million
- CeeDee Lamb, Cowboys: $34 million
- DK Metcalf, Steelers: $33 million
- A.J. Brown, Eagles: $32 million
- Amon-Ra St. Brown, Lions: $30.0025 million
- Brandon Aiyuk, 49ers: $30 million
- Tyreek Hill, Dolphins: $30 million
- Tee Higgins, $28.75 million
- Jaylen Waddle, Dolphins: $28.25 million
Total contract value
- Ja’Marr Chase, Bengals: $161 million
- Justin Jefferson, Vikings: $140 million
- CeeDee Lamb, Cowboys: $136 million
- DK Metcalf, Steelers: $132 million
- Amon-Ra St. Brown, Lions: $120.01 million
- Brandon Aiyuk, 49ers: $120 million
- Tee Higgins, Bengals: $115 million
- D.J. Moore, Bears: $110 million
- A.J. Brown, Eagles: $96 million
- Calvin Ridley, Titans: $92 million
Guaranteed money
- Ja’Marr Chase, Bengals: $112 million
- Justin Jefferson, Vikings: $110 million
- CeeDee Lamb, Cowboys: $100 million
- A.J. Brown, Eagles: $84 million
- D.J. Moore, Bears: $81.525 million
- Amon-Ra St. Brown, Lions: $77 million
- Brandon Aiyuk, 49ers: $76 million
- Jaylen Waddle, Dolphins: $76 million
- Tyreek Hill, Dolphins: $59 million
- Deebo Samuel, Commanders: $58.1 million
NFL’S HIGHEST-PAID PLAYERS: Where does Ja’Marr Chase’s contract rank in 2025?
Who is the highest-paid non-QB?
As mentioned, Chase is now the highest-paid non-quarterback in the NFL. He surpassed a $40 million AAV deal given to Cleveland Browns star Myles Garrett on eve of free agency.
Below is a full list of the highest-paid non-QBs in terms of AAV.
- Ja’Marr Chase, WR, Bengals: $40.25 million
- Myles Garrett, EDGE, Browns: $40 million
- Maxx Crosby, EDGE, Raiders: $35.5 million
- Nick Bosa, EDGE, 49ers: $34 million
- CeeDee Lamb, WR, Cowboys: $34 million
- D.K. Metcalf, WR, Steelers: $33 million
- A.J. Brown, WR, Eagles: $32 million
- Chris Jones, DT, Chiefs: $31.75 million
- Amon-Ra St. Brown, WR, Lions: $30.0025 million
- Brandon Aiyuk, WR, 49ers AND Tyreek Hill, WR, Dolphins: $30 million
