Joe Burrow uses a simple Ja'Marr Chase question to put even more pressure on the Bengals during Pro Bowl Skill Show
The Cincinnati Bengals were represented by Joe Burrow, Ja'Marr Chase, and Trey Hendrickson at the NFL Pro Bowl Skills Show. One of those players has future with the team settled. The other two are looking for just that this offseason. While Hendrickson was competing in the event's dodgeball tournament, Burrow was asked by the ESPN hosts […]
The Cincinnati Bengals were represented by Joe Burrow, Ja'Marr Chase, and Trey Hendrickson at the NFL Pro Bowl Skills Show.
One of those players has future with the team settled. The other two are looking for just that this offseason.
While Hendrickson was competing in the event's dodgeball tournament, Burrow was asked by the ESPN hosts about Chase's value and how it pertains to his contract extension negotiations. He answered more than what was asked.
“I don’t know what more he could show and do to prove himself," Burrow said of Chase. "We have several guys like that, who have stepped up for us, and deserve to be paid—deserve to be paid what they’re worth.”
Once more, Burrow publicly applies pressure on the Bengals' front office. He was just asked about Chase, but he willingly alluded to the likes of Hendrickson and Tee Higgins, who will also be eyeing major paydays this offseason.
And not just any paydays, paydays that match what they're worth.
Burrow has yet to shy away from standing on this particular business when asked in a public setting. He watched all three players last year deal with the front office playing hardball with the money they rightfully deserved. Chase became the fifth receiver in the modern NFL to win the triple crown. Hendrickson led the league in sacks. Higgins posted his best season since 2022 and a career-high 10 touchdowns.
All three are going to be more expensive to retain now unless they accept a team-friendly offer from Cincinnati, but Burrow is rightfully supporting them to get every penny.
Director of player personnel Duke Tobin spoke on the upcoming negotiations with Burrow's star teammates this week. He made it clear that the club wants all three back and will make concerted efforts to accomplish that. He also said he's spoken with Burrow following the conclusion of the regular season, which surely involved these exact sentiments.
Actions, and dollars, will always speak louder than words, and the pressure continues to be applied from face of the franchise.