Bengals have just extended their two stars Ja'mar Chase and Tee Higgins. The signature is both logical and is part of the franchise. But it presents an unprecedented risk in the history of the league. A risk probably fatal.
In the figures, three offensive Bengals players will vampirize the payroll for the coming years. If their impact on the cap is not yet really known, the three cumulative contracts represent $ 125 million per year on average, a fortune:
- Joe Burrow (QB): $ 55 million on average
- Ja'Marr Chase (WR): $ 40.25 million on average
- Tee Higgins (WR): 28.75 million dollars on average
By way of comparison, the 2025 wage margin caps at maximum $ 279.2 million. This is therefore 124 million for the trio, and 155.2 million for the other 50 players in the workforce.
Paying both the second most expensive quarterback in the League, the most expensive league player and the most expensive number 2 recipient in the league is not like a suitable way to build your team. It is the rest of the workforce that will suffer from this choice. The overall level drops drastically. And Joe Burrow will have to transform a little more into a hero behind second knives.
It is especially the almost 30 million for Tee Higgins who will quickly regret many supporters, even with an excellent level of play from the receiver. This sum could have been spent more academicly. For example, in AFC, chiefs, bills and ravens have taken very different directions by directing money elsewhere than their recipients. With a much superior relative success.
Attack at all costs
To understand the Bengal strategy, it is worth going back a little time, direction 2021 and the draft. At that time, two camps were rapping. On the one hand, protection enthusiasts advocate the selection of Penei Sewell (OL, Lions) to defend at all costs a Joe Burrow already categorized as a quarterback star. On the other, the lovers of football all fire all flame are campaigning for Ja'marr Chase. The exuberant and prolific receiver of LSU is a former teammate from… Joe Burrow.
The franchise chooses its way, the second, for the worst but especially for the better. Because together and in the company of Tee Higgins, Cincinnati failed three points at the Super Bowl LVI against the Rams the following year.
Over the period (2021-2024) the three thieves blacken the statistical sheets in an exceptional way:
- Joe Burrow: 59 games, 69.2 % of completed passes, 16313 yards (1e on average per game), 127 touchdowns (3e), 41 interceptions (164 Sacks (2e), 7.11 % SACK PCT)
- Ja'Marr Chase: 62 games, 395 receptions (6e), 5,425 yards at reception (3e), 46 touchdowns (1e))
- Tee Higgins: 54 games, 263 receptions, 3,687 yards at the reception (13e on average), 28 touchdowns (12e))
The three players carry their team to the victory, according to Sharp Football, the Bengals have a balance sheet of 21 victories for 10 defeats when the three players are aligned together (2022-2024). When there is one, the results fall into the negative (9 wins, 10 defeats).
Keeping this trio can therefore be seen as a necessity to ensure continuity in the franchise. Capitalizing on its strength is a factor of success that has proven itself in NFL.
Bet on excellent Skills Players Instead of overpowered lines, is less common.
Cincinnati therefore shows that it is possible to build your team “differently” without following predefined precepts. Eagles are the third team to spend the most on their trio Quarterback + recipients 1 and 2. (108 million dollars accumulated). The latter are the most recent winners of the Super Bowl. But to achieve such success, you will have to check out conditions sine qua none. And it is here that the rub in the Ohio.
From the powder to the eyes but no game background
If the Eagles succeeded by paying their trio as an attacker, it is because they have also succeeded in their recent drafts, whether on the strategy or the evaluation of the players. The construction of a dominant defensive line has notably been there. But Howie Roseman (GM, Eagles) also succeeded in her bets (Mailata, Becton) on the offensive line. This same Tuesday, they extended Lane Johnson's contract, a choice of house draft, to ensure solid protection in Jalen Hurts and racing lines in Saquon Barkley.
And this is probably what separates in recent history the Bengals of a franchise like Philadelphia. Cincinnati is closer to a management “at Miami. »Dolphins are the second franchise to spend on their trio Quarterback + recipients 1 and 2 ($ 111.4 million). But they never knew how to surround their Quarterback, Whether by protection or racing game. In 2024, Tua Tagovailoa passed nearly his career after multiple concussions.
The injuries suffered by Joe Burrow are the main argument of the followers who would prefer to see the quarterback in an armchair behind his line. In 5 years of career, Joe Cool has already cashed a break from all the ligaments of his left knee and his meniscus during his Rookie year as well as a break in the ligaments of the hand in 2023. These slag have earned him the “return of the year” trophy (2021 and 2024), a low consolation batch.
The bankruptcy for the rest of the Bengals
Again, return to the Super Bowl lost in 2022. If the arrival of the Bengals on the last step is a tour de force, it perfectly personifies the recurring problems of the franchise. That day, Joe Burrow cashed 7 sacks.
Bengals have never found solutions by the draft or the signature of free agents to protect their quarterback:
- 164 Sacks cashed since 2021 (2e))
- Win Rate block pass 50 % in 2024 (32e))
However, management has not hesitated to invest in recent years (6e NFL budget for the offensive line in 2023, 11e in 2024). With the new deals For recipients, the task promises to be more complex from now on.
Money is obviously the nerve of war. Trey Hendrickson (Edge) understood this, and the franchise still hesitates to pay it. Savings must be made by Bengals. It is the defense that will certainly scoop management choices. Hendrickson is the symbol.
The defense regressed as the rookie contracts of its offensive stars have stalled (6e In points conceded in 2022, 25e in 2024). A trend that awaits confirmation in 2025.
Yes, the payroll is led to increase exponentially … just like the wages of the players. The Brown family, owner and decision -maker, will have to find solutions to build a workforce of 53 players capable of competing with the best teams. In AFC, the chiefs, the Bills and the Ravens have taken very different directions by directing the money elsewhere than on their recipients. Eagles and lions build on ultra-color lines on the side of the NFC.
Bengals have decided to go backwards. Their defense, their offensive line and their ground play are, at best a mystery, at worst a weak point. Despite an ultra-glamor trio, reality could therefore be ruthless.
