Bengals' Tobin: Extending Chase is a 'priority'

The Cincinnati Bengals are intent on getting All-Pro wide receiver Ja'Marr Chase's contract extension done this offseason.

Chase is set to enter the final year of his rookie contract after the two sides couldn't come to terms on a new pact last summer.

"It's a priority for us," Bengals director of personnel Duke Tobin told the Cincinnati Enquirer's Kelsey Conway. "It's something we feel like there's a framework to work off of. Should be a pretty easy framework to work off of. Guys in his position have recently redone contracts. We believe in Ja'Marr; he's very important to us. The other guys that have done contracts are very important to their teams. So we believe there's a real framework to work off of. I would expect that we could come together on something that makes sense for both sides."

Chase reported to training camp on time even though negotiations on a new deal fell through. However, the star wideout did not participate in practice until the week leading into the Bengals' season opener. The 2021 first-round pick played in all 17 games, winning the triple crown and leading the NFL with 127 catches for 1,708 yards and 17 touchdowns in 2024.

He appears to be in contention to earn a contract that would make him the highest paid non-quarterback in the league. Several receivers signed new deals last offseason, including CeeDee Lamb and fellow LSU alum Justin Jefferson, who leads all wideouts with an annual average salary of $35 million.

Chase has recorded 395 receptions, 5,425 yards, and 46 touchdowns across his four seasons with the Bengals.

Teammate Tee Higgins is scheduled to become an unrestricted free agent after Cincinnati placed the franchise tag on him last offseason. He's considered one of the more reliable targets for quarterback Joe Burrow, but Higgins' departure could help the club allocate resources toward a Chase extension.

Tobin also spoke about a potential deal for star defensive end Trey Hendrickson. The four-time Pro Bowler is entering the final year of his contract after leading the league with 17.5 sacks this season. The 30-year-old defender is scheduled to earn $15.8 million in base salary and count for $18.6 million against Cincinnati's salary cap.

"Has he earned a pay raise and a bump in an extension … he has," Tobin said. "We're cognizant of that, and we will give that to him. But whether we agree on what that looks like is, is what is to be determined."