Bengals plan to make WR Ja'Marr Chase NFL's top-paid non-QB - ESPN

INDIANAPOLIS — The Cincinnati Bengals would like to give wide receiver Ja'Marr Chase a record-breaking deal — and the sooner, the better.

During his annual media session at the NFL scouting combine, Bengals de facto general manager Duke Tobin said the franchise wants to make Chase, an All-Pro receiver, the highest-paid non-quarterback in the league, which would set a record.

«Ja'Marr's always going to be our priority,» Tobin said at the dais inside the Indiana Convention Center. «He's going to be end up the No. 1-paid non-quarterback in the league. We're there. Let's get it done.»

This marks the second offseason that the Bengals have tried to get Chase signed to a long-term deal. Last year, Chase did not participate in training camp, and the two sides failed to reach an agreement before the start of the season.

Chase, a fifth-year player out of LSU, responded by turning in the best season of his career. He became the sixth player since 1970 to win the receiving «triple crown» by leading the league in receptions (127), receiving yards (1,708) and touchdowns (17). The receptions and yards were also Bengals franchise records.

Currently, Minnesota Vikings wide receiver Justin Jefferson, Chase's former LSU teammate, holds the record for most lucrative non-quarterback contract. Jefferson signed a four-year deal last offseason worth $35 million a year and included $110 million in guaranteed money, both high marks outside of the quarterback position.

Tobin said that when talks broke down in 2024, Chase elected not to sign the deal that was on the table.

«He changed his mind, which is fine,» Tobin said. «We understood. There's not hard feelings in this stuff. I don't get angry about this kind of stuff. It's just business.»

Tobin,