Bengаlѕ extenѕіonѕ for Cһаѕe, Hіggіnѕ, Hendrіckѕon get murky updаte from іnѕіder

The Cincinnati Bengals will attempt to follow Joe Burrow’s demands by paying up big for wide receivers Ja’Marr Chase and Tee Higgins and defensive end Trey Hendrickson on contract extensions.

Easier said than done, of course, when talking about the best wideout in the NFL who could reset the market, a minimum of a second franchise tag on Higgins and the NFL’s reigning sacks leader who deserves a raise.

Hence, ESPN’s Jeremy Fowler suggesting that he’s hearing skepticism around the league about the Bengals being able to make all happen.

“I’m hearing that they are going to try [to sign all three],” Fowler said on Thursday’s SportsCenter, according to Bleacher Report’s Zach Bachar. “It’s uncertain whether they can pull it off, and a lot of people around the league are skeptical. But they got Trey Hendrickson, Ja’Marr Chase, Tee Higgins. They’re going to try to pull all that off if they can.”

Skepticism is warranted, though the task isn’t impossible — especially after the massive cap jump for 2025 that benefits the Bengals.

Still, the rumors around Chase’s deal pin him at roughly $40 million per year. Higggins’ second tag would be $26 million or so, but he could generate $30 million-plus on the open market. And Hendrickson has already put down an extension-or-trade ultimatum.

If the Bengals can prove onlookers wrong, it would do right by Burrow and likely put the team in the best position to contend in 2025, given the current state of the overall roster.