Yeah, if Chase stands to make $90-95 million in starting this year through 2026, he ought to take it. I just don't know that's the case.
The Bengals have reportedly offered him $140 million in new money, split into three pots: a $30 million signing bonus in 2024, and then beginning in 2026, $50 million in non-guaranteed coin, and then in 2027, $60 million guaranteed money.
To put it another way, he is being offered a four-year deal worth $110 million total starting in 2026, with no guarantees until 2027.
If he signs it, he gets $30 million this year and...something in 2025. I assume it's at least the $22 million he's already guaranteed.
What's 2026? We don't know. If it's $35 million, yeah, take the money and run. If it's, say, $12.5 million because the non-guaranteed coin is split equally over four years as salary? I probably still do it (who am I kidding, I'd do it for 10% of that!) but maybe he doesn't. And that leaves nearly $100 million on the table if the Bengals cut him before the 2027 guarantees kick in.