The Cincinnati Bengals may have fallen short of another deep playoff run, but quarterback Joe Burrow remains steadfast in his belief that the team’s young stars deserve to be handsomely rewarded for their standout performances. In a recent interview at the Pro Bowl Games, the ascending franchise quarterback made an impassioned case for wide receiver Ja’Marr Chase and other key contributors to receive lucrative contract extensions.
Burrow’s Bold Advocacy
Burrow didn’t mince words when discussing Chase’s impending contract negotiations, asserting that his dynamic playmaker has done more than enough to warrant a massive payday:
“Week in and week out, he continues to make unbelievable plays, makes people miss, scores 50-plus-yard touchdowns. I mean, I don’t know what more he could do to show and prove himself.”
– Joe Burrow on Ja’Marr Chase
The 2023 receiving triple crown winner is unquestionably one of the NFL’s most explosive weapons, shattering franchise records for receiving yards and receptions this past season. Burrow recognizes that Chase isn’t the only Bengal deserving of a hefty raise.
Rewarding a Championship Core
Beyond Chase, Burrow also stumped for new deals for ascending wideout Tee Higgins and All-Pro pass rusher Trey Hendrickson. The star signal caller emphasized that Cincinnati has “several guys” who have consistently stepped up and “deserve to be paid what they’re worth.”
Despite battling injuries, Higgins still finished 10th in the NFL in receiving yards per game. Hendrickson, meanwhile, led the league in sacks en route to securing his first career First Team All-Pro nod. Both figure to be critical pieces as the Bengals aim to rebound from narrowly missing the playoffs.
Pivotal Offseason Ahead
While Burrow and his offensive cohorts posted gaudy individual numbers, the 2024 campaign marked a clear step back for a squad that had made back-to-back AFC Championship Game appearances. The fiery field general acknowledged the need for Cincinnati to “get some things ironed out this offseason” in order to position themselves for another title chase.
Securing the long-term services of foundational talents like Chase, Higgins and Hendrickson would go a long way towards restoring stability. Director of player personnel Duke Tobin recently indicated that extending Chase is an offseason “priority,” expressing confidence that the two sides can “come together on something that makes sense.”
Burrow Setting the Tone
By going public with his desire to see his teammates get their due, Burrow is once again emerging as the unquestioned leader of this Bengals squad. The 2023 Comeback Player of the Year finalist understands that sustained success in the NFL is built upon a foundation of compensating elite talent at premium positions.
As contract discussions unfold in the coming months, the Bengals brass would be wise to heed their quarterback’s advice. In an AFC North division loaded with young playmakers, Cincinnati can ill afford to let their homegrown stars seek greener pastures elsewhere.
The Bottom Line
Joe Burrow’s steadfast advocacy for his teammates is more than just lip service – it’s a sign of a true franchise quarterback who recognizes what it takes to build a perennial contender. By locking up the likes of Chase, Higgins and Hendrickson, the Bengals can lay the groundwork for a prolonged run of AFC supremacy.
As the NFL offseason kicks into high gear, all eyes will be on Cincinnati to see if they heed their signal caller’s call to invest in the core pieces of a roster built to chase championships for years to come. One thing is for certain: Joe Burrow isn’t afraid to go to bat for the teammates who have fought alongside him in the trenches.
