Bengals' Tobin: Ja'Marr Chase Will Be NFL's Top-Paid Non-QB; Tee Higgins Contract Eyed

The wide receiver position is fully under the spotlight for the Cincinnati Bengals at the NFL Scouting Combine, and director of player personnel Duke Tobin opened up about both Ja'Marr Chase and Tee Higgins.

Tobin told reporters Tuesday the plan is to make Chase the highest-paid non-quarterback in the league, adding "we're there, let's get it done. … Signed contract, that's what needs to happen."

As for Tee Higgins, Tobin said, "you know how I feel. I want him on my football team. I’ll do what I can to get Tee Higgins. The preference is a long-term deal, and they’re working to get it done."

Higgins, meanwhile, might not have agreed with the statements Tuesday based on his reaction:

It's unclear if the wideout is calling "cap" on Tobin or possibly Zac Taylor's similar comments, but the cryptic tweet likely isn't a great sign for the team's outlook.

Giving new contracts to both Chase and Higgins would be quite a lot of money at one position, especially if the former becomes the highest-paid non-quarterback in the league.

But Tobin explained that Cincinnati is low on dead money and has the room to keep them both even after signing quarterback Joe Burrow to a five-year, $275 million contract extension ahead of the 2023 campaign. 

"We want to reward them and add to the football team," Tobin said, while also revealing the team wants to keep pass-rusher Trey Hendrickson on a long-term deal. "It's a tall task. We think we're up to it."

For his part, Burrow said earlier this month that he would be open to restructuring his contract if he meant keeping both Chase and Higgins as his top two targets. 

He has also seemingly pressured the front office to keep the team's core together:

Higgins is scheduled for free agency this offseason after he played the 2024 campaign on the franchise tag. As for Chase and Hendrickson, the 2025 campaign will be the final one on their contracts.

Chase becoming the highest-paid non-quarterback in the NFL would mean passing up his college teammate in Justin Jefferson. The Minnesota Vikings made their No. 1 wide receiver the top-paid non-quarterback based on average-annual value ahead of the 2024 season with a four-year, $140 million extension.

Burrow, Chase and Jefferson all played together at LSU, and there would surely be some friendly trash talk between them if such a contract became a reality for the Bengals.

How Cincinnati handles this offseason will likely set the tone for the team in the coming years. It can remain one of the best offenses in the league by keeping Burrow, Chase and Higgins together, but that will require quite a financial commitment.