Ja'Marr Chase Checked on Tee Higgins' Contract Before His Record Bengals Deal

Prior to signing his historic contract extension with the Cincinnati Bengals, star receiver Ja’Marr Chase wanted to ensure that his running mate Tee Higgins was also being rewarded this offseason.

The Bengals placed the franchise tag on Higgins for the second straight year, but the two sides reached an agreement on a four-year, $115 million deal on the same day that Cincinnati and Chase agreed to a four-year, $161 million extension that made him the highest-paid non-quarterback in NFL history.

Chase told The Athletic’s Paul Dehner Jr. that he made it clear to his agent Rocky Arceneaux that it was just as important to him that Higgins got paid as it was to secure his own deal.

“I’m not a greedy person, and I’m not selfish,” Chase said. “I’m not gonna overdo nothing. And this whole situation, throughout my whole process, I was talking to Rocky, actually making sure we get something on Tee’s done. Like, are we close to Tee’s before mine? I’m trying to make sure me and Tee are still … at least together.”

Higgins switched agents and joined Chase in having Arceneaux as his representative, making it easier for their deals to be completed at the same time.

Chase and Higgins are now the highest-paid receiver duo in the NFL by far, as their combined average annual salary of $69 million is over $10 million more than the next pair.

The historic salary aside, Chase said he’s glad Cincinnati was able to keep its passing attack intact for quarterback Joe Burrow as the team chases another run to the Super Bowl.

“I don’t know about Joe, but it is hard when you are out there and Tee is not out there,” Chase said. “It’s not easy at all. Tee out there makes my job easier. I make his job easier. It makes the running back’s job easier. The whole game slows down for me.”