Cincinnati Bengals wide receiver Ja’Marr Chase is looking to reset the market and become the highest-paid non-quarterback in the league.

Chase, a four-time Pro Bowler, is in the last year of his rookie contract that will pay him $21.8 million in 2025.

With Chase’s free agency looming, the Bengals don’t want to let one of the best playmakers in the league get away and are working on a contract extension with him. However, he’s not the only wide receiver the franchise is looking to keep as 26-year-old Tee Higgins is a free agent. The Bengals used the franchise tag on Higgins in 2024 and could do the same again this year, though they prefer to get a long-term deal done.

The Bengals currently have $61.5 million in cap space, according to OverTheCap.com.

How close is Ja’Marr Chase to contract extension with Cincinnati Bengals?

The Athletic’s Dianna Russini reports that the Bengals have made an offer to Chase’s camp, but they haven’t come close to what the wide receiver wants.

“An offer has been made by Cincinnati, but the two sides remain far apart in talks for now,” Russini notes.

There’s still plenty of time to get a deal done, but it is worrisome that they remain “far apart” regarding money. If the Bengals aren’t willing to back up the Brinks truck for Chase, Cincinnati’s future would look dim without Joe Burrow throwing to one of the top receivers in the NFL.

Chase is coming off an All-Pro season where he led the league in receptions (127), receiving yards (1,708), receiving touchdowns (17), and receiving yards per game (100.5). Over four seasons with Cincinnati, Chase has accumulated 395 catches for 5,425 receiving yards and 46 touchdowns.