After failing to come to a new deal with the Bengals last fall, Ja'Marr Chase could become the NFL's first $40 million WR in 2025.

Cincinnati Bengals wide receiver Ja'Marr Chase (1) and Cincinnati Bengals wide receiver Tee Higgins (5) prepare to warm up before the NFL game between the Cincinnati Bengals and the Denver Broncos at Paycor Stadium in Cincinnati on Saturday, Dec. 28, 2024. / Albert Cesare/The Enquirer / USA TODAY NETWORK via Imagn Images

The Cincinnati Bengals are expected to use the franchise tag on wideout Tee Higgins to try and keep their offensive trio of Higgins, Joe Burrow and Ja'Marr Chase intact. However, the situation could g

Bengals wide receiver Ja'Marr Chase had reports that he was willing to sit out games for a new contract with the team.

Pay for it, meaning somewhere possibly in the neighborhood of $40 million per year. According to Fox Sports’ Jordan Schultz, the near-miss then means the Bengals pay up big now: Ultimately, Chase chose to play and now Cincinnati is staring at the league’s first $40 million wide receiver.