The Cincinnati Bengals couldn’t get a deal done with star wide rececieer Ja’Marr Chase before last season and will pay for it this summer. Pay for it, meaning somewhere possibly in the neighborhood of $40 million per year. According to Fox Sports’ Jordan Schultz, the near-miss then means the Bengals pay up big now:

After failing to come to a new deal with the Bengals last fall, Ja'Marr Chase could become the NFL's first $40 million WR in 2025.

The Cincinnati Bengals are expected to use the franchise tag on wideout Tee Higgins to try and keep their offensive trio of Higgins, Joe Burrow and Ja’Marr Chase intact. However, the situation could get even more complicated with NFL insider Jordan Schultz reporting Chase will command at least $40 million per year on his next contract extension.

Up to this point, the Cincinnati Bengals have failed to secure three of their top players on long-term contracts, with Ja'Marr Chase, Tee Higgins and Trey Hendrickson all angling for new deals. Behind closed doors,

The Bengals have two contract updates regarding Tee Higgins and Ja'Marr Chase according to NFL insider James Palmer.

Ja'Marr Chase isn't looking to let the Bengals off the hook for not signing him to an extension last offseason. Fox Sports's Jordan Schultz reported this week that Chase is looking for $40 million per season on a new deal.