With every week that passes, the Cincinnati Bengals’ decision not to pay Ja’Marr Chase this offseason gets worse. That trend continued Monday night after Chase beat the Dallas Cowboys for 177 yards and two touchdowns.

After the game, quarterback Joe Burrow was asked by reporters about the star wide receiver’s contract situation.

“He deserves everything he gets and more. “Hopefully we can play together for as long as we’re in this league,” Burrow said of Chase.

Chase is in his fourth NFL season. He and the Bengals discussed a new contract last offseason but were unable to reach an agreement. He earns a base salary of $1.055 million and a cap hit of $9.8 million. It’s highly unlikely that he will play in 2025 under his fifth-year option, and Burrow made it clear that he hopes the team pays whatever it takes to keep Chase in town with a new long-term contract.

In 13 games this year, Chase has a league-best 15 touchdowns with 95 receptions and 1,319 yards. There’s no substitute for that kind of production, and the chemistry between him and Burrow dates back to their time at LSU. They have spent their entire professional careers playing side by side, and Burrow hopes that will continue for the foreseeable future.

Of course, a lucrative deal for Chase could jeopardize the Bengals’ chances of retaining Tee Higgins, who is scheduled to hit free agency after the 2024 season. Burrow said he is “confident” the organization will find a way to bring Higgins back in addition to giving Chase a new contract.