Logic demands for Cincinnati Bengals wide receiver Ja'Marr Chase to sign the most expensive contract any non-quarterback has ever signed in NFL history.
The Bengals don't always abide by logic, but the obvious decisions are usually made.
Duke Tobin and Zac Taylor both agreeing only confirms what's to come.
Bengals aligned in how much Chase will get paid
Cincinnati's de facto general manager and head coach were each asked about Chase during their respective press conferences Tuesday at the NFL Scouting Combine. Tobin said even if Chase doesn't get his deal before Tee Higgins or potentially Trey Hendrickson this offseason, it doesn't change what he had to say about him
"Ja'Marr is always going to be our priority," Tobin said of his All-Pro wideout. "He's a fantastic football player. He's going to end up being the number one paid non-quarterback in the league.
"We're there. Let's get it done."
Those last six words matter more than any of the words that preceded them. Cincinnati came close to paying Chase last offseason before, in Tobin's words, Chase "changed his mind" and chose not to sign the deal offered to him.
There's no excuse for this to be repeated this year. Tobin wants it to get across the goal line, and sounds pretty confident that it can come together. Admitting that the deal will exceed any non-QB in history can only be interpreted in so many ways.
Taylor isn't part of negotiations between Chase and high-ranking front office members, but even he knows what's up.
"Well number one, it's good to have great players that want to be rewarded. That's a great problem to have," Taylor said. "And, you know, with Ja'Marr, we certainly want to make him the highest paid non-quarterback in his league. He's deserved that. Went into a year and won the triple crown, and did all the things he could do for us. Just had a tremendous year, so we'll continue to work through for that."
Chase did win the receiver triple crown along with earning his first All-Pro honor. He played like the best wide receiver in the league. Some would even call him the best football player, period.
The thing about the best wide receivers is, quite simply, they get paid more than any other non-QB position group. Six of the eight non-QB contracts worth at least $30 million per year belong to receivers. The largest one belongs to Chase's former college teammate, Justin Jefferson.
In reality, Tobin and Taylor simply said that Chase will be paid more than Jefferson, which is not a bold statement in the slightest. It's simply how the business goes. Dak Prescott received a deal worth $60 million per year one year after Joe Burrow signed for $55 million per year.
And after the season Chase had, he should scoff at any offer that doesn't exceed what Jefferson signed for last year.
Chase's leverage is immense compared to the likes of Hendrickson and Higgins. The Bengals know what it'll take to bring him back to the table, while the other two may have to work their way to a price that works for both parties.
When Chase and the Bengals reach an agreement this offseason, there will be no surprise when he surpasses Jefferson. The only question will be how much more he'll end up getting.
