Ja’Marr Chase’s Old Comments on Wanting More Money Than Justin Jefferson Resurface

Cincinnati Bengals wide receiver Ja'Marr Chase reacts after a play against the Denver Broncos. | Katie Stratman-Imagn Images

Joe Burrow is going to have his two favorite targets around for a while after the Cincinnati Bengals signed wide receivers Tee Higgins and Ja'Marr Chase to huge extensions late Sunday night. Higgins agreed to a four-year deal worth $115 million while Chase will make $161 million over four years with $112 million guaranteed.

Chase, arguably the best wide receiver in the NFL, is now the highest paid non-QB in the league, passing Cleveland's Myles Garrett who owned that honor for only a week after re-signing with the Browns.

The former LSU wideout said at the beginning of last season that he wanted to make more money than his former college teammate, Vikings wide receiver Justin Jefferson, and now he's doing just that as he'll earn $5 million more a season.

Highest paid non-quarterbacks in the NFL:

🏈Ja’Marr Chase: $40.25 million
🏈Myles Garrett: $40M
🏈Maxx Crosby: $35.5M
🏈Justin Jefferson: $35M
🏈Nick Bosa: $34M
🏈CeeDee Lamb: $34M pic.twitter.com/nkwxGOmTX7

— Adam Schefter (@AdamSchefter) March 17, 2025

Chase's comments about that resurfaced Sunday night: “If I want to beat Justin Jefferson, I’m going to beat the s-- out of Justin," Chase said. "Not by a penny, brother.”

Ja’Marr Chase in September on reports that he wants one penny more than Justin Jefferson: “If I want to beat Justin Jefferson, I’m going to beat the sh*t out of Justin. Not by a penny, brother.”

Ja’Marr just topped him by over $5M per year.

pic.twitter.com/1DPR1LQDJm https://t.co/bDfeJOA6Gj

— Ari Meirov (@MySportsUpdate) March 17, 2025

The Bengals finished 9-8 last season and just missed the playoffs. With Chase and Higgins now locked in, the pressure will be on the Bengals to become contenders again.

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