On August 16, the Cincinnati Bengals and kicker Evan McPherson agreed to a three-year contract extension, linking him to the team through the 2027 season. The Bengals have been in the news all offseason regarding their negotiations with Ja’Marr Chase and the on-going “hold-in” from the star receiver.
It was assumed that the McPherson extension was going to get done this offseason. However, it’s how the extension was structured that provides some optimism when it comes to the eventual Chase extension.
McPherson’s contract extension is three years, $16.5 million. $10 million of it is due by the first year of the team (2025). When Chase’s extension gets done, his first season of new money won’t hit until 2026. McPherson’s large(er) salary takes place at the same time as Joe Burrow‘s first expensive season as he’s playing on the fifth-year option this year.
The Bengals made this deal with the knowledge that Chase is going to get paid soon.
The Savvy Evan McPherson Extension Signals More is Coming
The Bengals are at a crossroads when it comes to paying their stars. Obviously, Tee Higgins was not extended this offseason and will play on the franchise tag. Then, Chase has been at practice but has only participated in two practices this week…and then went back to holding in. Considering the day before, head coach Zac Taylor said that his talented wide receiver would be playing Week 1, but it doesn’t look good.
Regardless. the Bengals should – and will – pay Chase. Over the last 20+ years, Cincinnati has been able to get deals done with both the franchise quarterback and his star receiver. They paid Carson Palmer and Chad Johnson. Then, they worked out deals with Andy Dalton and A.J. Green. Now, Burrow has his deal and all they are waiting on is Chase.
Chase is evidently looking for a record-setting contract. It was even reported that he’s not looking to blow Justin Jefferson‘s deal away. He wants one cent more.
It Will Get Done…Eventually
Ideally, the Bengals and Chase follow in the footsteps of the McPherson extension and get it done before Week 1.
The issue is two-fold, of course. On one hand, owner Mike Brown expressed that the deal may not get done this offseason, allowing many to jump on the team and decry, “same old Bengals.” On the other hand, Brown followed that up by saying he and the team will “bend over backward” to get a deal done.
Yes, the Bengals have an established history of being among the cheapest franchises in the NFL. However, with generational talents needing to be paid, they’ve shifted their mindset. If the Bengals were still the same old Bengals, the stadium would still be named Paul Brown Stadium and Burrow would be playing out his final year before testing free agency.
That’s not the case now and that hasn’t been the case for a while, oddly enough.
Burrow was paid. Chase will be paid. The McPherson extension, even if it is a smaller extension in comparison, showed that the team is thinking ahead. A deal with Higgins is likely not happening and he will earn a large second contract via free agency, as he should. However, as great as Higgins is, Chase is greater.
Cincinnati needs to stop playing around and just pay the man.
Main Image: Kareem Elgazzar/The Enquirer / USA TODAY NETWORK
