There were several things frustrating about the 2024 Cincinnati Bengals. Outside of the team missing the playoffs for the second consecutive season was the fact they failed to lock up franchise wide receiver Ja’Marr Chase to a long-term deal.
The team has time to do so before Chase becomes a free agent, but in the meantime, he became the fifth receiver ever to win the Triple Crown. He led the league with 127 catches, 1,708 receiving yards and 17 touchdowns. Chase was already expected to become the league’s next highest-paid receiver, surpassing his former LSU teammate Justin Jefferson’s $35 million average salary.
There’s another potential wrinkle we’ll bring up shortly, but for now, let’s look at when we should expect the Bengals to lock up their “Uno” to a megadeal. A reminder, these odds are for infotainment purposes only. Do not look for them from licensed Ohio sports betting operators.
Ja’Marr Chase Contract Extension Odds
Extension Timeframe | Odds | Percent Chance |
During the 2024-25 Offseason | -1150 | 92.0% |
During the 2025-26 Regular Season | +1650 | 5.7% |
The Field | +4250 | 2.3% |
How Much Will Ja’Marr Chase Make In 2025?
Ja’Marr Chase enters his fifth season in the NFL in 2025 and, per league rules, the Bengals picked up the optional fifth year on his rookie contract before the start of the 2024 campaign. As such, according to Sportrac, he’s set to earn $21.8 million, or nearly three times the average $7.7 million that was his average salary on his four-year rookie deal. We’ll see how Chase’s status affects Bengals futures odds from operators that offer real money Ohio sportsbook promotions.
Jefferson’s average on his deal with the Minnesota Vikings is $35 million, the highest for any non-quarterback in the league. Chase’s new deal will surpass that, with the only question becoming how much of that is guaranteed. That’s what reportedly derailed a four-year, $140 million deal last summer.
Sportrac now estimates Chase’s deal will likely now cost $145 million over four years. However, fellow receiver Garrett Wilson of the New York Jets and standout Dallas Cowboys linebacker Micah Parsons are among the other players eligible for extensions. Chase’s number could be contingent on what they end up making.
Bengals Also Seek To Keep Another Receiver
Chase, of course, isn’t the only receiver the Bengals will try to lock up this offseason. Teammate Tee Higgins played on a franchise tag in 2024; he initially requested a trade but has since pulled back on that. He’s also hired Chase’s agent, Rocky Arceneaux, to represent him. That could simplify matters as the team seeks to secure quarterback Joe Burrow’s top two targets.
Higgins missed five games this season, and in those five games, Chase averaged 7.4 catches for 91.6 yards and 0.8 touchdowns per game. That’s not far from his per week averages of 7.5 catches, 100.5 yards and one touchdown.
However, the five-game averages are skewed heavily by a monster 11-catch, 264-yard, three-score game against the Baltimore Ravens. In the other four games, Chase averaged 6.5 catches for 48.5 yards and 0.25 touchdowns.
That’s why signing Higgins matters to the Bengals and to Chase.
We’ll keep track of Bengals developments and keep up our reviews of Ohio sports betting apps too.
USA Today photo by Katie Stratman
