The Cincinnati Bengals are heading into the most important free agency and draft season in franchise history. With Joe Burrow coming out of an MVP-caliber season, the team needs to re-sign or extend both wide receivers Ja’Marr Chase and Tee Higgins.
They used their franchise tag on Higgins in 2024 and may again in 2025, but this is their last chance to come to an agreement with Chase before he’ll need to be tagged in 2026, as he’s playing on his fifth-year option this season.
The Bengals have submitted an offer to Chase, but the two sides are far apart, according to The Athletic’s Diana Russini.