The Cincinnati Bengals may have moved at a snail’s pace, but they finally got the deals done to extend their two top receivers. Both Tee Higgins and Ja’Marr Chase each landed new deals late Sunday night with Chase becoming the highest-paid non-QB in NFL history, and Higgins becoming the highest-paid second option on an offense across the league. Now everyone in the league needs to essentially reset their expectations for their own stars. Including the New York Jets. New York still has to extend some of their key young talent in cornerback Sauce Gardner and wide receiver Garrett Wilson. Both players are eligible for extensions this offseason for the first time in their careers.
It would make the most sense for New York to get those extensions done as soon as possible. Gardner is expected to be the highest-paid cornerback in NFL history. That’s what comes with being a two-time First-Team All-Pro player in two of his first three seasons. Wilson’s contract is a bit trickier. The receiver market has now touched over $40 million, but the top pass catchers in the league like Justin Jefferson and Tyreek Hill are all making over $30 million now. Can the former Ohio State product demand he be considered in the same tier as some of these other weapons? Related: Jets Given Incredible ‘Superstar’ Ranking In QB Justin Fields Report Based on numbers alone, probably not. Wilson is the first Jet receiver in franchise history to record over 1,000 yards receiving in his first three years. He is coming off his first 100-catch season as well with a career-high seven touchdowns in 2024. The argument for Wilson is that his numbers would be far greater if the Jets had a competent quarterback.