Bengals' Ja'Marr Chase Says He Has 'Higher Standard' After Historic Contract Extension

The Cincinnati Bengals made Ja'Marr Chase the highest-paid non-quarterback in NFL history this offseason, and now he wants to prove he was worth every cent of his four-year, $161 million deal.

“There are expectations, the standard is high,” Chase said, via the Bengals' website (h/t Pro Football Talk's Josh Alper). “Just have fun and play my game, but also know I’m holding myself to a higher standard now. Higher than whatever it was.”

Chase, the fifth overall pick out of LSU in 2021, has already done more than enough to warrant the lucrative deal the Bengals gave him. He's recorded 1,000 or more yards in each of his four seasons and reached a new level in 2024 when he won the wide receiver triple crown with 1,708 receiving yards and 17 touchdowns on 127 receptions.

Even after a career year, Chase said he wants to get "better at everything I can do." If Chase has a new level to his game, the massive contract he landed might be what motivates him to get there.

Despite Chase's success in 2024, the Bengals failed to make the playoffs. They'll look to continue getting the best out of their receiver while figuring out other areas they can improve to make a postseason run.