During LSU's 2019 dominant run to the National Championship it was clear that not only was the team special but, a few players in particular were in a class of their own. Joe Burrow won the Heisman and countless other awards en route to being the first overall pick, Justin Jefferson was the second best wide receiver only to his teammate Ja'Marr Chase who took home the Biletnikoff.
Their dominance in the NFL has further solidified how absurd it was that the trio played together at the same time in College Football. Joe Burrow became the NFL's highest-paid quarterback and has consistently been one of the top quarterbacks in the league. Justin Jefferson became the highest paid wide receiver after winning the Offensive Player of the Year.
After the Bengals didn't pay Ja'Marr Chase this offseason he went out and bet on himself, and he won the Wide Receiver Triple Crown leading the NFL in catches, yards, and touchdowns. After the dominant season, the Bengals only had one choice and on Sunday Night, Ja'Marr Chase became the highest paid Non-Quarterback in NFL History.
BREAKING: #Bengals WRs Ja'Marr Chase and Tee Higgins exclusively tell me they’ve agreed to contract extensions with the team.
— Jordan Schultz (@Schultz_Report) March 17, 2025
Ja'Marr gets: 4-years, $161M with $112M guaranteed — making him the highest-paid non-QB in NFL history.
Tee gets: 4-years, $115M with the first two… pic.twitter.com/zbdnEDELgz
The deal surpasses Myles Garrett's recent extension which makes Chase the highest paid Non-Quarterback ever while the deal surpasses Justin Jefferson's deal which was the most for a wide receiver.
Last offseason, Ja'Marr Chase was asked about beating Jefferson's record contract to which he said the following:
"If I want to beat Justin, I want to beat the s--t out of Justin. Not by a penny, brother."Ja'Marr Chase
Chase lived up to his promise as his new 4 year, $161 Million deal with $112 Million Guaranteed crushes Jefferson's 4-year, $140 Million Deal with $110 Million Guaranteed which gives Jefferson the chance to get a reworked contract.
The Bengals had no choice but to reward Ja'Marr Chase after his Triple Crown season as Chase is one of if not the best Wide Receiver in the NFL. It's incredible to see Chase getting his massive deal as he's gone out year after year and proven he's one of the best players in the league.
The legacy of "WRU" at LSU only continues to grow with this contract extension and if you're a top wide receiver recruit, LSU has to be the choice. Malik Nabers and Brian Thomas Jr are coming off of massive rookie seasons. Ja'Marr Chase and Justin Jefferson are the league's two highest paid wide receivers and before them, Odell Beckham Jr set the record for the most money guaranteed to a wide receiver.
Many schools can claim they're the best at producing wide receivers but, LSU is producing wide receivers that change NFL Franchises.