Cincinnati Bengals wide receiver Ja'Marr Chase (1) catches a deep pass for a touchdown in the second quarter of the NFL Week 5 game between the Cincinnati Bengals and Baltimore Ravens at Paycor Stadium in downtown Cincinnati on Sunday, Oct. 6, 2024. The Bengals led 17-14 at halftime. Sam Greene/The Enquirer / USA TODAY NETWORK via Imagn Images

JJ Watt Sounds Off on Cincinnati Bengals and Dallas Cowboys: 'Reward Your Players Earlier'

Originally posted on Cincinnati Bengals on SI
By James Rapien | Last updated Mar 9, 2025 3:08 PM ET

The Bengals said they plan on making Ja'Marr Chase the highest-paid non-quarterback in the NFL this offseason.

That number went up on Sunday.

Myles Garrett signed a four-year, $160 million extension with the Cleveland Browns with $123.5 million guaranteed.

That will almost certainly push Chase's asking price up after he became the fifth player since the NFL merger to win the Triple Crown. Chase led the NFL in receptions (127), receiving yards (1,708) and receiving touchdowns (17).

Future Hall of Famer JJ Watt chimed in on the situation, specifically referring to Chase's situation with the Bengals and Micah Parsons's situation with the Dallas Cowboys.

"Reward your players earlier and reap the benefits in the long run," Watt tweeted. "Dragging it out not only ends up costing more, it creates unnecessary tension. The longer you wait, the higher the price."

It's unclear what Chase will be looking for, but $40+ million per year is probably a safe bet.

Check out Watt's tweet below:

Reward your players earlier and reap the benefits in the long run.

Dragging it out not only ends up costing more, it creates unnecessary tension.

The longer you wait, the higher the price. https://t.co/EX72OYWEh5
— JJ Watt (@JJWatt) March 9, 2025