Predicting when the next 3 contract extensions for the Cincinnati Bengals will happen

Paying Joe Burrow the largest NFL contract at the time was the first major step forward for the Cincinnati Bengals. The next steps involve maintaining a high talent level around him.

That will require paying his teammates.

While it may be too late for Tee Higgins to join that club , the Bengals will eventually start reverting closer towards their natural process of spending the majority of their money on retaining players instead of prioritizing external free agents. That's the price of finally getting back to hitting on draft picks.

None of the upcoming extensions for Cincinnati will come close to Burrow's Average annual value of $55 million per year, but there are significant players who need pay bumps in the very near future. Note that these are extensions, not re-signing players with expired contracts.

K Evan McPherson

A placekicker to start? Absolutely. McPherson may not have been as good as his magnificent rookie season when he was a perfect 14-14 in the postseason, but he's still a weapon beyond 50 yards and consistently makes the most important kicks he's tasked with making. He's virtually automatic from inside 40 yards and is just over 75% from beyond that distance. For as good as he is now, he can become even more consistent over time.

McPherson is set to become a free agent following this season. I don't expect the Bengals to let his contract expire. This should be a deal that gets done long before that's a possibility .

When will it happen? Prior to start of 2024 regular season.

CB Cam Taylor-Britt

If the Bengals could begin negotiating with Taylor-Britt now, I bet they would be in the midst of that process. Taylor-Britt is but a 24-year old entering his third season in Cincinnati, and he's already an on-field leader at an extremely important position. Taylor-Britt asserted himself as the team's top cornerback last season, hauling in four interceptions in what could've been a Pro Bowl campaign had he not missed five games.

Another quality year for Taylor-Britt will lock in his market as one of the next highest-paid cornerbacks. The Bengals should want to get ahead of another market jump before he hits free agency in 2026.

When will it happen? Prior to start of 2025 training camp.

WR Ja'Marr Chase

The biggest name on this short list I expect to go last. Chase is the most important player on the roster not named Joe Burrow, and his contract will reflect that. The market is already set with Justin Jefferson now bringing home $35 million a year. Cincinnati didn't even want to start talking with Chase until that deal was settled, knowing their own Pro Bowl wideout would use it as a foundation for his own deal .

Deals of this magnitude take the most time, which is why I expect to be finalized right before the regular season of his contract year. This is when A.J. Green got his $15 million per year deal back in 2015. Chase will make close to three times that AAV if the receiver market continues to climb.

When will it happen? Prior to start of 2025 regular season.

Related: Bengals cornerbacks Cam Taylor-Britt, Mike Hilton prove their masterful communication skills in fun video