Bengals’ top exec dangles bo...

INDIANAPOLIS — The Cincinnati Bengals appear to be extending an olive branch to their star receiver.

Perhaps it will settle their future with All-Pro receiver Ja’Marr Chase after attempts to reach a long-term deal last offseason proved fruitless.

Bengals top executive Duke Tobin said Tuesday that Chase is “always going to be our priority.” And Tobin suggested the Bengals will put their money where their mouth is.

“He’s a fantastic football player,” Tobin said from the NFL scouting combine. “He’s going to end up being the No. 1 paid non-QB in the league. We’re there. Let’s get it done.

“The earlier we can do some of this stuff, the more it frees us to build the rest of the team.”

The receiver market took a turn last year after the Minnesota Vikings awarded Justin Jefferson a four-year extension worth $140 million. Chase and Dallas Cowboys receiver CeeDee Lamb each declined to participate in training camp practices afterward in search of their similar deals, Chase holding “in” while Lamb held out.

The Cowboys and Lamb reached a four-year extension worth $136 million before the season’s start. The Bengals and Chase’s agent, Rocky Arceneaux, did not find common ground.

In response, Chase starred to the tune of a receiving triple crown, leading the league in all three major categories with 1,708 receptions and 17 touchdowns on 127 catches.

Since he entered the league in 2021, Chase leads the league with 46 receiving touchdowns while his 5,425 receiving yards rank third behind Jefferson’s 6,032 and Miami Dolphins wide receiver Tyreek Hill’s 5,707.

Bengals head coach Zac Taylor echoed Tobin’s language of making Chase the highest-paid non-quarterback. But Taylor also emphasized wide receiver Tee Higgins’ role in Chase’s production as he advocated to retain the duo.

“We want Tee around here not just next year but in the future,” Taylor said. “Tee’s been a big part of all the wins we’ve had and keeping defenses accountable so Ja’Marr can have his best days and [quarterback] Joe [Burrow] can have his best days.

“That’s a trio we want to keep together.”

Chase’s deal part of bigger puzzle for Bengals' future

While Chase is the Bengals’ top extension priority, Higgins is their most urgent as his franchise tag expires.

“Tee is the one that’s not signed for the future right now so that puts the onus on us to do something one way or another earlier,” Tobin said.

Higgins posted 911 yards and 10 touchdowns in 12 games last season, his fourth time in five years surpassing 900 yards. The Bengals could designate him as their franchise-tag candidate for a second straight year if they don’t reach a long-term deal, Higgins’ second tag worth more roughly $26.17 million, or 120 percent of his first.

Tobin denied interest in tagging and trading Higgins, whom executives believe has a robust market among receiver-needy teams.

“Our preference is a long-term deal,” Tobin said. “I think you guys all know what I feel about Tee Higgins. I think Tee Higgins is a fantastic football player and I want him on my team. Whenever I’m in charge of a football team, I want Tee Higgins, so I’m going to do what I can to get Tee Higgins.

“He fits with us. We fit with him. It’s a great match.”