- The Cincinnati Bengals may be the latest team to shell out the big bucks. Reports say contract extensions with star receivers Ja’Marr Chase and Tee Higgins are close.
- The Seattle Seahawks added a playmaker Friday, signing Washington native Cooper Kupp to a three-year deal.
- Quarterbacks Aaron Rodgers and Russell Wilson are reportedly thinking over their options before signing new deals.
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While some of the biggest deals in the NFL’s free agency frenzy may be out of the way, there are still a pair of record contracts to hand out in Cincinnati. ESPN is reporting the Bengals are close to extensions with star receivers Ja’Marr Chase and Tee Higgins.
Why are the Bengals about to write some big checks?
Chase was the 2024 “triple-crown” winner, leading the league in catches, yards and touchdowns. Higgins was the top free agent on the market before the team put the franchise tag on him, which means he’ll be one of the highest-paid players in the league at his position. Both contracts reportedly range from $35 to $40 million per season.
Bengals defensive end Joseph Ossai, who recently re-signed with the team, talked about how valuable those receivers are.
“They’re great teammates; people would love to have them back,” Ossai said Friday, March 14. “The confidence they bring to the team –– you’re going out there with Ja’Marr and Tee? You can win any game.”
Have the Seahawks improved at wide receiver?
Another triple crown-winning receiver has found a new team. Former Los Angeles Rams star Cooper Kupp agreed to a three-year, $45 million deal with the Seattle Seahawks Friday, March 14. It’s a sort of homecoming for Kupp, who grew up about two hours east of Seattle in Yakima, Washington. Kupp confirmed the deal on X with the quote, “Washington back across my chest, Let’s Go!”
The Seahawks needed help at the wide receiver position after trading DK Metcalf to the Pittsburgh Steelers and releasing franchise great Tyler Lockett last week.
After losing the services of defensive end DeMarcus Lawrence to the Seahawks Thursday, March 13, the Dallas Cowboys are filling the void by bringing back pass rusher Dante Fowler, Jr. He played for the Cowboys in 2022 and 2023 and left for the Washington Commanders to join his defensive coach Dan Quinn. Fowler, Jr. had 10.5 sacks for Washington last season.
What’s the latest on Aaron Rodgers and Russell Wilson?
There are still a couple of big-name quarterbacks out there. Future Hall of Famer Aaron Rodgers is reportedly thinking about an offer from the Steelers, while the quarterback he could replace, Russell Wilson, is still looking to land somewhere.
Wilson was in New Jersey Friday, March 14, to visit the New York Giants after previously meeting with Cleveland. The Browns are very interested in Wilson.
Defensive end Myles Garrett, who signed his record contract with the team Friday, had this to say when asked about adding Wilson.
“I definitely think he’d be a valuable asset as a leader and as a mentor to those young guys. Veteran leadership can be understated and I think he definitely has some juice left at the position,” Garrett said. “You know he’s got plenty of arm left, he’s very smart, and he knows what he’s capable of. So, he’d be a valuable asset.”
