Alright, so for years, there’s been a narrative built around the Bengals. They are known as the team that is often hesitant to open their checkbooks, even for star players. Their inability to keep safety Jessie Bates III blew up in their face. He is now a Pro Bowler with the Falcons. Then, there’s the care of defensive tackle DJ Reader. He also left the Jungle and signed with the Lions when the Bengals didn’t give him a deal last year. This made the Bengals’ defense porous, no matter how world-class their offense was. However, that could have also changed if the Bengals had not changed themselves.

Seeing how the Bengals avoided yet another potential contractual dispute surrounding their star players. Their starting center, Ted Karras, couldn’t be more grateful to the Bengals’ front office. When Pat McAfee asked Karras what the feeling was in the Bengals locker room the moment Higgins and Chase’s contracts were sorted. Let’s just say his answer meant the locker room couldn’t be happier seeing their explosive receivers get monstrous deals—albeit avoiding a potentially murky cloud moment.

“I think it’s going to be a huge plus that we’re not having the hold-in with Jamar. So there’s not that periphery distraction. Overall, it’s not a big deal, I would say, in an NFL locker room. But it can, when it builds up like that, it can be a negative.” See, the Bengals were in a tough spot last off-season, something they probably didn’t want to go through again. 

Tee Higgins requested a trade away from the Jungle, seeing the Bengals’ lack of intent in giving him a longer deal. But thankfully, he ended up withdrawing his request as the Bengals put him under the franchise tag. Then, there was the case of now the richest non-QB in the league, Ja’Marr Chase. He wrapped himself in a ‘hold in’ throughout last year’s training camp. And didn’t attend a single team activity. However, he also ended his stalemate once the NFL season kicked off.

Comprehending all the offseason drama, Joe Burrow took it upon himself to ensure the Bengals’ front office didn’t let his best players walk out just like that. He kept on knocking on the doors of the front office all season. And you know what happened next? The Bengals splashed $276M just to keep Burrow’s two receivers in town. No matter how earth-shattering the financials were, Ted Karras believes it’s all worth it.

Tee Higgins and Ja’Marr Chase’s record-breaking deals deemed deserving

Cincinnati put a full stop to Higgins and Chase’s contractual conundrums with dual announcements. They surprised us by extending Higgins and Ja’Marr Chase’s deals. Chase agreed to a whopping $161M extension, while Higgins got his long-awaited $115M extension. Both 4-year deals now keep the Bengals’ dynamic duo in the Jungle at least till 2029. Judging by the financials, the Bengals bent just to keep two of their offensive weapons—must have raised eyebrows.

But their center, Ted Karras, thinks “they deserve it.” Was it even a question before? Chase earned his mega deal after delivering four consecutive Pro Bowl years. Then, he also capped off last year, earning his first All-Pro selection because of his Triple Crown year. Still just 25, Chase already has shown he wouldn’t be just a Bengals legend. But also a future Hall of Famer if his run continues. As for Higgins, he may have arrived one year before Chase. However, his impact has been equally sensational.

In four out of 5 seasons, he has recorded over 900 receiving yards, showing his consistency. Yes, Higgins occasionally has troubles with injuries. Still, the charismatic Bengal receiver has 4,595 yards and 34 TDs on just 330 receptions. Seeing their numbers, those deals aren’t bad at all. All they have to do is build on last year’s offensive flair. And who knows, maybe the Bengals will again see themselves on a Super Bowl trail come 2026.