Here's what it will cost the Bengals to pay WR Ja'Marr Chase his fifth-year option in 2025
The Cincinnati Bengals last year signed quarterback Joe Burrow to the biggest contract in NFL history. They were right to do what was necessary in keeping their franchise QB.They will inevitably approach wide receiver Ja'Marr Chase with the same mindset. Whether or not the Bengals extend Chase's contract this offseason, they will exercise the fifth-year […]
The Cincinnati Bengals last year signed quarterback Joe Burrow to the biggest contract in NFL history. They were right to do what was necessary in keeping their franchise QB.
They will inevitably approach wide receiver Ja'Marr Chase with the same mindset.
Whether or not the Bengals extend Chase's contract this offseason, they will exercise the fifth-year option before the May 2 deadline. The move with trigger a one-year extension added on to the contract Chase signed as a rookie.
And it will cost them quite a bit of cash and salary cap space.
Ja'Marr Chase's projected fifth-year option
Chase has been no ordinary receiver playing on a rookie contract. He's made the Pro Bowl in all three years he's been in the NFL, proving to be one of the very best receivers in the league.
Because of this, Chase's fifth-year option will have him earning more money than most of the first-round picks from his 2021 NFL Draft class.
According to Ari Meirov of The 33rd Team, Chase's fifth-year option will cost $21,665,000.
The NFL CBA agreed on in 2020 states that a player player who's earned two or more Pro Bowl bids (must be on the original ballot) will have their fifth-year option equal to the current value of the franchise-tag tender of their position.
$21.665 million is how much the franchise tag for wide receivers is expected to cost clubs this year in cash and salary cap space. The Bengals will be acutely aware of this when it comes to Tee Higgins in a couple weeks.
Chase has earned nearly $26m already through three years with the Bengals. He'll earn another $4.8m in 2024 should he and the club not agree on an extension prior to the season starting.
$21.665m is a hefty salary even for someone who will have already earned over $30m, and it will also count against the cap for the same amount. The Bengals will be happy to pay it if it means Chase will continue to play for them two seasons from now.
What the fifth-year option does more than anything is give clubs added time to extend the player. When the Bengals exercise it on Chase, he won't be able to hit free agency until 2026. They will be able to extend him anytime before that.
It's ultimately a small price to pay before a mega-deal comes into the picture, and Chase will undoubtedly be breaking the bank when his time comes.
Ja’Marr Chase keeps his word to Bengals legend during Pro Bowl Games
He knows how to have fun.
