Ben Child
CINCINNATI — Amid all of the headlines and chatter surrounding the Cincinnati Bengals' summer season and coaching camp, the three greatest names on the roster had been noticeably absent.
As an alternative, quarterback Joe Burrow and vast receivers Ja'Marr Chase and Tee Higgins had a comparatively nondescript build-up to the common season.
No large offseason haircuts or comeback tales. No contract drama. Simply three guys preparing for one of many greatest years of their careers.
On the finish of the season, Cincinnati's star offensive trio desires to be within the dialog that issues — successful a Tremendous Bowl. By finishing a full offseason collectively, Burrow and Co. have crossed off a serious field that's wanted for a workforce that has constructed every little thing round them.
“We have super gamers. Any time they are often wholesome, stroll on the sector collectively and proceed to place that stress on the opposite workforce, it offers us lots of confidence as a workforce,” Bengals coach Zac Taylor mentioned.
Having all three obtainable at full power has not been a luxurious Cincinnati has loved in earlier summers.
Final 12 months, Chase didn't take part in coaching camp as he awaited a contract extension that did not arrive till after the season. That compounded issues as Burrow, who sported a blond buzz lower, was working his method again from a season-ending wrist damage in 2023.
As soon as the 2024 season began, it took a number of weeks for the Bengals to search out their rhythm, however by then they had been 0-3.
Although Burrow was an MVP finalist, Chase gained the receiving triple crown — most receiving yards (1,708), catches (127) and receiving touchdowns (17) — and Higgins posted a career-high 10 TDs, it wasn't sufficient to maintain Cincinnati from lacking the postseason for the second consecutive 12 months.
“Ja'Marr barely practiced in any respect earlier than the primary sport final 12 months,” Burrow mentioned in July. “That was robust gameplan smart, timing smart, rhythm smart.”
This offseason, the Bengals rapidly made certain there was no contract drama with Chase or Higgins this 12 months. They every earned long-term contracts value a grand whole of $276 million.
At NFL league conferences in Florida, Bengals govt vice chairman Katie Blackburn mentioned protecting these receivers with Burrow might be a serious benefit.
“There is no assure, clearly, however that's one thing that is a vital factor,” Blackburn mentioned in April. “Them having that consistency and familiarity ought to be a power.”
No one within the NFL leans on their passing assault greater than the Bengals. In 2024, Cincinnati led the league in passing yards per sport (272.9) and had the most important share of yards that had been gained by the go at 74.7%, in accordance with ESPN Analysis.
It is becoming given the investments into Burrow, Chase and Higgins. These three are the one veterans who will probably be beneath contract in 2028. And in accordance with OverTheCap.com, that trio will earn a mixed $90.4 million in money this 12 months, with Higgins really making essentially the most at $35.9 million.
When the Bengals signed these contracts, additionally they did their half to verify their star offensive gamers spent lots of time collectively this offseason. Higgins and Chase every had $100,000 exercise bonuses included of their respective contracts, which added an incentive for them to take part in voluntary offseason exercises.
Higgins and Burrow had been each drafted in 2020, with Chase being drafted a 12 months later. To extend the chance that Higgins might keep as a part of the trio, he employed Chase's agent, Rocky Arceneaux, who finalized their respective contracts.
“I do know Tee's been on a distinct journey than I've with two totally different boats we have been in,” Chase advised ESPN in July. “However we simply mainly added our boats collectively now and simply studying from one another, constructing with one another.”
Chase and Higgins haven't spoken typically to native reporters this summer season. Higgins has loved the primary offseason in years with out having to fret a couple of contract, a supply advised ESPN this summer season, including that the chemistry with Burrow and the offense was paying homage to 2021, the 12 months the Bengals went to the Tremendous Bowl.
Even with a comparatively low-key build-up to the Sept. 7 opener in opposition to the Cleveland Browns, it has been unattainable to overlook how properly that trio has meshed within the preseason.
“It is all the time higher, when it comes to with the ability to begin quick, when you've all of your guys on the market on the sector,” Bengals linebacker Logan Wilson mentioned. “As an offense, they're selecting up the place they left off final 12 months.
“And I believe they've solely gotten higher from the place they had been final 12 months at this level in coaching camp.”
