CINCINNATI -- Ja'Marr Chase was still trying to grasp the levity of the moment.
Up until three weeks ago, the idea that he and fellow Cincinnati Bengals wide receiver Tee Higgins were going to sign long-term extensions felt distant. Each star player had gone through their own set of difficult and embattled negotiations in previous years.
But things slowly started to turn their way. Quarterback Joe Burrow continued to campaign for them to receive new deals. The front office expressed support to pay both players.
That set the scene for Tuesday, when Chase and Higgins arrived in Cincinnati to finalize their new four-year contracts.