Ja’Marr Chase and Tee Higgins are finally signed long-term in Cincinnati and former NFL GM Mark Dominik and Dave Ross recap those extensions and all the latest NFL free agency moves, as well as their long-term impact, in the latest episode of The GM Shuffle.
Coming out of this weekend, the Cincinnati Bengals have been the talk of free agency after finalizing the contract extensions of their wide receiver tandem. With both extensions coming in at over $100 million, some questioned whether the money was well spent. Dominik expressed that this was HUGE news for Bengals fans as well as quarterback Joe Burrow. He explained to Ross how surprised he was at how early the two deals were finalized before getting into the offseason program. Dominik added that the Bengals used leverage and were strategic by putting the franchise tag on Higgins when they did. Further, he does not have a problem with the monetary value of the contracts. He contends that Chase’s contract of four years, $161 million puts him at the highest end of the wide receiver spectrum, which is where he belongs.
Moreover, the Bengals got Higgins to sign for $30 million per year, with his contract extension coming in at four years, $115 million. Dominik believes that Higgins could have commanded somewhere in the mid-$30 million range based on the teams that had him high on their wish list in the off-season. Dominik points out that with the signings of Chase and Higgins, along with Burrow, the Bengals — who have received the reputation of being cheap in free agency — now have $551 billion tied up between the trio. But, he stressed that that’s where we are in the NFL, and with so much of their salary cap tied into their offensive stars, the Bengals will have to draft EXTREMELY WELL to fill their holes.
Another emerging superstar who received a big payday is Houston Texans cornerback Derek Stingley Jr., who signed a three-year, $90 million contract, making him the highest-paid defensive back in the league. Dominik explained that the Texans are taking care of Stingley Jr.’s contract early, with the CB coming off of his best year by far. Stingley is just the latest LSU talent to cash in, joining former Tigers teammates such as Burrow, Chase, and Minnesota Vikings Justin Jefferson in signing some of the largest contracts at their respective positions.
The quartet from LSU’s 2019 National Championship team has now accrued $666M in contract extensions💰
🔶Joe Burrow: 5-years/$275M
🔶Ja’Marr Chase: 4-years/$161M
🔶Justin Jefferson: 4-years/$140M
🔶Derek Stingley Jr.: 3-years/$90M pic.twitter.com/FWeB7ZXLPI— Football Forever (@fballforeverhq) March 17, 2025
The biggest free agency mystery remains where Aaron Rodgers will sign. Ross expressed that this is new territory for Rodgers, who has never been a free agent in his Hall of Fame career. Dominik shared that as a former GM, he takes issues with what Rodgers is doing. He added that Rodgers knew his time was ending with the Jets and that he would have to find a new team early on. Granted, he knows that there are teams out there, like the New York Giants and the Pittsburgh Steelers, knocking on the door, as well as the Minnesota Vikings. Dominik explained the move to Minnesota would make no sense. Dominik added that the longer Rodgers waits, the more it begs the question of whether he still wants to play, given that most media pundits believe he has one-to-two years left. Furthermore, Dominik expressed disappointment that Rodgers seems to be holding two franchises hostage by dragging his decision out. He thought by Monday morning he would have received the announcement that Rodgers has signed with either the Steelers or Giants. The longer he waits to decide, the less time the team that doesn’t sign him has to construct a backup plan. Dominik doesn’t know Rodgers personally but stands behind the belief that he is putting certain franchises in a bind the longer he waits.
Who are the biggest winners in free agency so far? Dominik has his eye on a few teams, with his criteria based on who you traded and who you kept. With that being said, Dominik believes the Buffalo Bills are having a WONDERFUL free agency period. They have restructured Josh Allen’s deal and signed three key players — defensive end Greg Rousseau, linebacker Terrel Bernard and wide receiver Khalil Shakir. They also brought in defensive end Joey Bosa and wide receiver Joshua Palmer. Another team that stood out to Dominik is the Chicago Bears, which shored up the interior of their offensive line with the signing of guards Joe Thuney and Jonah Jackson. Dominik contends that if they stay healthy, they could be a top-five offensive line in the NFL next season. The Green Bay Packers are another team Dominik admires, as they only made two key signings — cornerback Nate Hobbs and guard Aaron Banks. The Packers said got their two guys and moved on from free agency. On the other side of the equation, a team that Dominik is having a hard time figuring out is the Cleveland Browns. So much of their identity was signing Myles Garrett, and now that they backed up the Brink’s truck for the defensive star, they still are in quarterback limbo. Dominik adds that it does not seem like their front office has a clear vision of where they want to go.
Listen to the full episode below for the complete discussion and more from The GM Shuffle!
Show Breakdown
Winner & Losers in NFL Free Agency + Previewing Top NFL Rookie Running Backs
On The GM Shuffle, hosts Mark Dominik and Dave Ross analyze the Winners and Losers of NFL Free Agency, dish out their favorite NFL Futures values and preview the NFL Draft by ranking the 2025 Rookie Running Backs! There’s plenty of news to break down as well including the massive contract signings for Bengals receivers Ja’Marr Chase & Tee Higgins as well as where Aaron Rodgers will be playing this season.
VIDEO
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