Bengals Exec: NFL Teams Can Go Find Their Own WRs After Chase, Higgins Contracts

The Cincinnati Bengals have secured two of the best receivers in the NFL for the long term.

They signed Ja'Marr Chase to a four-year, $161 million deal and Tee Higgins to a four-year, $115 million contract.

After keeping the two stars in Cincinnati, director of player personnel Duke Tobin made a callback to his comments from a few years ago when he was asked about shopping his receivers on the trade market.

“We have our receivers," Tobin told reporters on Tuesday. "The rest of the league can go find their own.”

In 2023 when there were trade rumors surrounding Higgins, Tobin made a similar comments and suggested the rest of the NFL stay away from his receivers.

"If they want a receiver, go find your own," Tobin said. "In my opinion, Tee Higgins is a good piece for the Cincinnati Bengals. The trade stuff is a little ridiculous right now."

The statement remains true this offseason after the Bengals locked down two of the league's best.

Chase led the league in receiving yards (1,708), receiving touchdowns (17) and receptions (127) in 2024. The LSU product has been one of the best wideouts in the league his entire career, so it only made sense that Cincinnati made him the highest-paid non-quarterback in NFL history.

Higgins has also been extremely important to the Bengals offense, recording 1,000 or more yards twice in his career. He was on pace to have another 1,000-yard season in 2024 but was limited to 12 games. Still, he hauled in 911 receiving yards and 10 touchdowns.

As accomplished as the pairing is, they're still looking for their first championship together. Chase said that getting Higgins back was integral to Cincinnati's Super Bowl aspirations.

"Win a championship, that's all I can think about," he told reporters. "That's why I wanted Tee to stay with me."

Higgins echoed Chase's statement, saying the two need each other to thrive.

“We make each other better. Not just on the field but as men," he said. "He’s become one of my closest brothers.”

The Bengals still have work to do this offseason, mainly on the defensive side of the ball, but they at least have Joe Burrow's two favorite targets in Cincinnati for the long haul.