In a stunning turn of events, the Cincinnati Bengals have signed their star wide receiver Ja'Marr Chase to a lucrative new contract, reportedly making him the highest-paid non-quarterback in NFL history with an astonishing average of $40.25 million per year. However, as the saying goes, the devil is in the details, and a closer look reveals a more complex financial picture.

Contract Breakdown

So, what does this mega deal actually entail? Let's break down the specifics that could challenge the notion of Chase's historical payday:

1. **2025 Offseason Roster Bonus:** A whopping $32 million, fully guaranteed.

2. **2025 Offseason Workout Bonus:** $100,000, also fully guaranteed but contingent on earning.

3. **2025 Base Salary:** $8.07 million, fully guaranteed.

4. **2025 Per-Game Roster Bonus:** Totaling $1 million, fully guaranteed but must be earned.

5. **2026 Option Bonus:** $15 million, guaranteed.

6. **2026 Offseason Workout Bonus:** $100,000, guaranteed for injury at signing and fully guaranteed after five days of the season.

7. **2026 Base Salary:** An impressive $17.73 million, fully guaranteed.

8. **2026 Per-Game Roster Bonus:** Another $1 million, guaranteed for injury at signing and then fully guaranteed on a specified date.

9. **2027 Option Bonus:** $5 million, guaranteed for injury at signing.

10. **2027 Offseason Workout Bonus:** $100,000, similar guarantees as previous.

11. **2027 Base Salary:** $23.9 million, guaranteed for injury at signing.

12. **2027 Per-Game Roster Bonus:** $1 million, fully guaranteed under similar conditions.

13. **2028 Offseason Workout Bonus:** $100,000.

14. **2028 Base Salary:** $31.9 million, with $7 million guaranteed at signing but becoming fully guaranteed later.

15. **2028 Per-Game Roster Bonus:** $1 million total.

16. **2029 Offseason Workout Bonus:** $500,000.

17. **2029 Base Salary:** An astronomical $43.316 million.

18. **2029 Per-Game Roster Bonus:** $1 million.

Adding to the excitement, Chase's contract features a unique annual incentive of $250,000, triggered if he plays 65% of the snaps and the Bengals secure a Super Bowl victory.

At the moment of signing, Chase will see $73.9 million guaranteed upfront, with an additional $30 million guaranteed by March 2026 and another $8.1 million guaranteed by March 2027. The practical guarantee stands at $103.9 million, ensuring Chase won’t face a cut before next March, making the likelihood of him earning the entire $105 million over the next three years quite feasible.

While it sounds enticing, the 2029 year includes a team-held option for $44.816 million, which could be viewed as a strategic move to inflate the new-money average per year. If you strip away that final year, the five-year, $182.816 million deal (which includes four years at an impressive $162 million in "new money") realistically adjusts to a four-year, $138 million contract, translating to $34.5 million per year.

This breakdown of the finances reveals a more nuanced reality: Ja'Marr Chase might not be the highest-paid non-quarterback in history after all. The adjusted "new money" average drops to approximately $38.728 million. While he secures a fantastic contract, the expectation of the highest-paid title may be a bit exaggerated.

With the NFL landscape continually evolving, fans and analysts alike will be watching closely to see how this deal affects both Chase's performance on the field and the Bengals' financial strategy moving forward. The excitement and scrutiny surrounding this contract are just beginning, and it's a story you won't want to miss!