Bengals Reportedly Make Significant Progress on Ja'Marr Chase, Tee Higgins Extensions

Newsweek - Mar 14th, 2025
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The Cincinnati Bengals are reportedly close to finalizing contract extensions for their star wide receivers, Ja'Marr Chase and Tee Higgins. NFL insider Tom Pelissero revealed that both deals could be completed in the coming days, fulfilling quarterback Joe Burrow’s wish to keep his top targets in Cincinnati for the foreseeable future. The progress in negotiations is significant as the team has been eager to maintain its offensive core, with Chase potentially becoming the highest-paid non-quarterback in the NFL. Higgins, who has been on a franchise tag for the second consecutive season, and Chase have been in prolonged negotiations with the Bengals' front office, which now seems to have reached a breakthrough.

This development is crucial for the Bengals, who missed the playoffs last year despite a strong finish to their season, winning five of their last six games. With Joe Burrow already secured for several more years, retaining Chase and Higgins would solidify the Bengals as a formidable contender in the AFC. This move underscores Cincinnati's commitment to building a Super Bowl-capable team around Burrow. Finalizing these extensions would also eliminate a significant distraction for the organization, allowing them to focus on other offseason priorities necessary to enhance their roster and compete at the highest level in the upcoming NFL season.

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RATING

6.8
Fair Story
Consider it well-founded

The article provides a timely and mostly accurate account of the Cincinnati Bengals' contract negotiations with Ja'Marr Chase and Tee Higgins. It benefits from credible sourcing and clear presentation but could improve in areas of transparency and balance. While the story engages sports enthusiasts and holds public interest, its impact is primarily confined to the sports community. Greater detail on contract specifics and a broader range of perspectives would enhance the overall quality. Despite these areas for improvement, the article effectively communicates the significance of these negotiations for the Bengals' future strategy.

RATING DETAILS

7
Accuracy

The story accurately reports that the Cincinnati Bengals are making progress on contract extensions for Ja'Marr Chase and Tee Higgins, as supported by NFL insider Tom Pelissero's report. However, the article lacks specific details about the contract terms and timelines, which are crucial for verifying the claims. The mention of Chase potentially becoming the highest-paid non-quarterback is consistent with previous reports, but the actualization of this claim remains unverified. Additionally, the story states that Higgins was given the franchise tag for the second straight season, which aligns with known facts. Overall, while the story is largely factual, it would benefit from more precise information and confirmation of the timeline for finalizing the deals.

6
Balance

The article primarily focuses on the positive implications of the Bengals' efforts to retain Chase and Higgins, emphasizing the benefits for the team and quarterback Joe Burrow's satisfaction. However, it lacks a broader perspective, such as potential challenges or criticisms regarding the financial implications of such deals. The story could be more balanced by including viewpoints from financial analysts or other teams' strategies in similar situations. This singular focus on the positive aspects creates a slight imbalance, omitting potential drawbacks or differing opinions.

8
Clarity

The article is generally clear and concise, presenting the main points in an accessible manner. The language is straightforward, and the story flows logically from the report of progress on contract extensions to the implications for the Bengals' future. However, the repetition of certain phrases, such as the significant progress on extensions, could be streamlined for better readability. Overall, the clarity is strong, with minor improvements needed to avoid redundancy.

8
Source quality

The article relies on information from NFL insider Tom Pelissero, a credible and authoritative source in sports journalism. The mention of Pelissero's report adds weight to the story, indicating a reliable basis for the claims made. However, the article could enhance its source quality by including additional perspectives or corroborating statements from team officials or other sports analysts. The reliance on a single primary source, while trustworthy, limits the depth of reporting.

5
Transparency

The article lacks transparency in terms of disclosing the methodology behind the reported progress on contract negotiations. It does not explain the basis for the claims about Chase's potential salary or the specific sources of information beyond Pelissero. Additionally, there is no mention of any potential conflicts of interest or biases that might affect the reporting. Greater transparency regarding the sources and processes behind the news would enhance the reader's understanding and trust in the information presented.

Sources

  1. https://stripehype.com/bengals-get-best-update-possible-regarding-jamarr-chase-tee-higgins-01jpb3xx4pqs
  2. https://www.cbssports.com/nfl/news/bengals-still-plan-to-make-jamarr-chase-highest-paid-non-qb-set-big-asking-price-for-tee-higgins-per-report/
  3. https://www.profootballrumors.com/2025/03/bengals-progressing-on-jamarr-chase-tee-higgins-extensions
  4. https://www.nfl.com/news/bengals-applying-franchise-tag-on-wr-tee-higgins-for-second-straight-year
  5. https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=4Dfi27WH9Cc