The Cincinnati Bengals’ 9-8 finish in 2024 disappointed fans of the team and the sport.

Watching the Bengals come within one win of the playoffs was painful, especially when it felt like the team wasted a career year for quarterback Joe Burrow and pass rusher Trey Hendrickson.

Cincinnati has players arguably at the top of their respective positions at multiple spots on the roster. If they had made the playoffs, it would’ve been tough to count them out against anyone.

Quarterback Joe Burrow and wide receiver Ja’Marr Chase have become household names since their days at LSU.

The Bengals have both Chase and Tee Higgins to worry about. Higgins could walk in free agency, but the team could use the franchise tag on him.

Will Chase make bank?

Going into last season, one of the headlines was Chase’s holdout for a new contract.

According to Fox Sports’ Jordan Schultz, Cincinnati may have wasted money by not completing a deal before last season.

Chase, as I’ve reported, was very, very close to getting a deal done before last season began,” Schultz wrote. “In fact, multiple sources familiar with the negotiations say that the 2024 triple crown winner was even willing to sit out the team’s first couple of games.

“Ultimately, Chase chose to play and now Cincinnati is staring at the league’s first $40 million wide receiver. That’s right: Chase will command at least $40 million per season.”

The Bengals might’ve been able to get the deal done for less if they had done it last season. At $36 million average annual value, it still would’ve made him the highest-paid receiver.

After a season like the one he just had, though, it would be silly not to ask for more. It remains to be seen whether Cincinnati feels the same way.