The Cincinnati Bengals announced their four-year contract extensions with star receivers Ja'Marr Chase and Tee Higgins on Tuesday, and head coach Zac Taylor says the team is now focused on winning a Super Bowl with its standout duo.
"We knew that they were capable of something special. They were built differently," Taylor said. "Now they're going to take on an ever bigger leadership role than before, which I know that they're more than capable of."
"The next step is a championship with these guys," the sideline boss added, according to Jay Morrison of BengalsTalk.com.
The Bengals reportedly agreed to massive extensions with Chase and Higgins on Sunday, a move that initially seemed unlikely due to Cincinnati's salary cap and need to improve its defense. Chase became the league's highest-paid non-quarterback by inking a four-year, $161-million deal, while Higgins agreed to a four-year, $115-million contract to stay put after receiving the franchise tag for a second time.
Higgins - who requested a trade from the team in 2024 - admitted that there were "a lot of moments" in which he thought he wouldn't get a new deal from the Bengals, according to Morrison.
A two-time 1,000-yard wideout, Higgins likely would've become WR1 if the Bengals had traded him to another team. But the 26-year-old doesn't mind sharing the spotlight with Chase, a first-team All-Pro who captured a rare receiving triple crown this past season.
"I grew up a Bengals fan and to have the opportunity to sign a four-year deal with my favorite team that I grew up watching, I mean, that's a dream come true," Higgins said, according to Chatterbox Sports.
Chase described Higgins as Cincy's "1A" receiver, according to Olivia Ray of WLWT.
He also remains confident that the Bengals' core, led by quarterback Joe Burrow, can still win a Super Bowl despite not making the playoffs in 2024.
"Win a championship. That's all I can think about," Chase said Tuesday, per Ray.
"It's possible. We did already. We know what it smells like."
Chase praised Burrow on Tuesday, saying the star QB's public statements in recent months urging the Bengals to keep their top weapons were "a big help."
The Bengals and their elite trio won the AFC during the 2021 season, reaching the franchise's first Super Bowl in over three decades. However, Cincinnati ultimately fell short against the Los Angeles Rams.
The Bengals have since missed the playoffs twice despite their standout offense.
