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.

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, however, the Bengals intend to sign all three during the 2025 offseason, according to ESPN.