Welcome to the St. Patrick's Day special issue of the Pick Six newsletter!
It seems like everybody in the NFL received word that today is St. Patrick's Day since nearly all NFL owners are distributing pots of gold. Okay, maybe not all owners, but specifically the Cincinnati Bengals' owner Mike Brown and the Houston Texans' owner Cal McNair have shown remarkable generosity within this last day.
In Cincinnati, Brown distributed a sum of $276 million in new contracts to players Ja'Marr Chase and Tee Higgins. Meanwhile, in Houston, McNair designated Derek Stingley Jr. as the highest-paid cornerback in NFL history.
We'll go through all three of these deals today along with some additional ones, so let's dive into the details.
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1. Bengals go all out to retain Ja'Marr Chase and Tee Higgins: Four key points to consider
For years, the Bengals were known for their frugality, but nobody will use that term now following their actions on Sunday night. Team owner Mike Brown reached deep into his pockets and awarded contracts totaling $276 million to wide receivers Ja'Marr Chase and Tee Higgins.
Last offseason, the Bengals had an opportunity to secure these contracts, but tensions rose between the team and its two top wide receivers. This year, however, they managed to finalize deals with both players.
This is the information you require:
- Ja'Marr Chase has become the highest-paid player at a position other than quarterback in the NFL. The standout player from the Bengals, following a season where he topped the league in receptions, touchdown catches, and receiving yardage, has signed a four-year contract worth $162 million. This agreement equates to an annual salary averaging $40.25 million, making him the highest-paid non-quarterback surpassing Myles Garrett. Additionally, his new deal features $112 million in guaranteed funds.
- Tee Higgins also receives payment. After being tagged for the consecutive season in February, Higgins was not content; however, he’s pleased now following his signing of a four-year, $115 million deal. With an annual salary of $28.75 million, Higgins has become the NFL's top-earning wide receiver secondary option, surpassing Jaylen Waddle from the Miami Dolphins, whose yearly earnings stand at $28.25 million.
- Joe Burrow was behind all of this. During Super Bowl week, the Bengals' quarterback gave several interviews where he repeatedly emphasized the importance of retaining crucial players for his team. He particularly highlighted Higgins, Chase, Mike Gesicki, and Trey Hendrickson as essential signees. Currently, the Bengals have secured contracts with three out of these four athletes. It wouldn’t come as a shock if they manage to finalize an agreement with Hendrickson too, thus fulfilling Burrow’s desired roster (reportedly, negotiations between both parties are ongoing). back at the negotiation table again ).
- Salary cap implications. Currently, Burrow, Higgins, and Chase are projected to earn a collective average of around $124 million annually. Nonetheless, their total cap charge isn’t as steep, particularly for 2025. While Burrow’s annual average stands at $55 million, his actual cap figure for next year will be lower at approximately $46 million. Initially, Higgins was slated to carry a franchise-tag cap value of $26.2 million in 2025; however, this amount may decrease. Similarly, Chase had been anticipated to account for roughly $21.82 million against the cap due to his previous contract terms, though he too could see this sum drop following negotiations over his latest agreement. Altogether, these players’ caps charges for 2025 might collectively fall below the $100 million mark, pending official details from finalized agreements. Given that the salary cap limit has been established at $279.2 million for 2025, once the Bengals finalize both renegotiations, they’re expected to retain close to $35 million in available cap room afterward.
You can read our complete narrative on the website. Bengals' record-setting deals here Additionally, I analyzed why the Bengals strayed from their usual approach during this offseason. you can view that here .
2. Derek Stingley Jr. secures historic contract with the Texans
Heading into St. Patrick's Day, the Bengals weren’t alone in handing out a record-breaking deal. The Texans similarly struck gold with Derek Stingley Jr.
The cornerbacks signed an unprecedented new contract, and here’s everything you should be aware of:
- Stingley holds the distinction of being the highest-paid cornerback in NFL history. The third player chosen in the 2022 NFL Draft signed a three-year deal worth $90 million with the Texans, featuring $89 million as guaranteed compensation. This contract equates to an annual value of $30 million, completely reshaping the landscape for cornerbacks' salaries. As we looked ahead to the 2025 off-season, Patrick Surtain II held the title of highest-paid cornerback at $24.1 million annually until being surpassed by Jaycee Horn earlier this month. The Panthers were affected by these changes. The corner secured a deal amounting to $25 million annually. When a player resets the market, they typically receive around $1 million more annually compared to the previous high, but Stingley surpassed Horn’s mark by an astounding $5 million per year, which really stands out.
- Stingley has certainly earned his pay. When you have a shutdown corner in the NFL, you have to do everything you can to keep him, and the Texans have that in Stingley. The 2024 All-Pro was one of the best corners in the NFL last season. According to PFF Quarterbacks managed only a 39.6 passer rating when throwing to him, making his performance the highest among all corners in the NFL. Over the last two seasons, Stingley has intercepted a total of 10 passes, placing him in a tie for fourth place in terms of interceptions across the league during this period.
- The LSU athletes are now receiving compensation. Stingley was actually an LSU teammate of Ja'Marr Chase in 2019, and with both guys getting a new deal, that team has combined to make some serious money in the NFL. Not only did that team have Chase and Stingley, but it also had Joe Burrow and Justin Jefferson. Those four players have now signed new contracts worth a total of $666 million.
The largest beneficiary of the Stingley deal could be Sauce Gardner. The Jets' cornerback is set for an extension shortly and there’s a strong possibility he’ll aim to surpass Stingley's record-breaking amount.
We have all the information about Stingley's record-breaking contract, and You can find those listed here. .
3. Largest unaddressed requirement for each NFL team following the first week of free agency
The biggest problem with trying to build an NFL team is that you're never done building. Even if you fill a few of your needs in free agency, there are always going to be other needs.
With that in mind, Josh Edwards decided to take a look at every team's biggest remaining need after one week of free agency:
- Browns: Quarterback. "It sounds as though Cleveland's plan, at this time, is sign either Russell Wilson or Kirk Cousins, if made available. Should both of those options fall through, then the team would explore signing Joe Flacco or Carson Wentz. In short, it is less than an ideal situation at the game's most important position. Cleveland is still likely to take a quarterback in the draft as well."
- Patriots: Offensive tackle. "New England needed not one, but two offensive tackles. They signed veteran Morgan Moses to play right tackle, but still need to address backside protection for Drake Maye. Fortunately for the Patriots, they hold the No. 4 overall selection and will have the choice of Missouri's Armand Membou or LSU's Will Campbell. Wide receiver remains a priority as well."
- Bears: Defensive tackle. All the adjustments Chicago has made across both offensive and defensive lines have resulted in a strong lineup from start to finish. While some positions remain uncertain, the primary concern lies at defensive tackle. It’s possible they won’t bring in additional players for this spot; instead, they’re counting on Gervon Dexter and Zacch Pickens to step up their game, as well as relying on experienced veterans like Grady Jarrett and Andrew Billings who will need to perform effectively even as they enter their thirties.
- Seahawks: Offensive guard. They opted against aggressively pursuing high-profile free agents looking for top-dollar contracts and are instead investigating rehabilitation opportunities like Teven Jenkins, who has had difficulty staying fit.
You can leave the place. the most important requirement for each of the remaining 28 squads here .
4. 10 insights on contracts from the initial week of free agency
Nobody at CBS Sports surpasses Joel Corry when it comes to expertise on NFL contracts, and his extensive knowledge stems from his background as an NFL agent.
After reviewing all the contracts signed in the last week, Joel came up with 10 observations related to these agreements, and we'll be examining three of those insights here.
- Why didn't Josh Allen attempt to surpass Dak Prescott's $60 million-a-year record? Allen’s primary focus appeared to be on optimizing cash flow rather than increasing the average annual salary. The $220 million he secured from 2025 to 2028 represents the highest four-year cash flow in NFL history. This deal outstripped the former record of $219 million set over the years 2024 to 2027 when Prescott agreed to his four-year, $240 million extension with the Cowboys last September, making him the league's inaugural $60-million-a-year athlete.
- Leaders are attempting to capitalize on an unexpectedly open Super Bowl opportunity. The top priority was reinstating Zach Ertz and Bobby Wagner, two experienced players aged 34, known for their significant impact on shaping the team’s ethos in Washington. Future hall-of-famer linebacker Wagner inked a contract totaling $9 million over one year, including an assured payout of $8 million with potential escalations reaching up to $9.5 million via performance bonuses. Tight end Ertz agreed to terms offering him $6.25 million for a single season, out of which $5.59 million is entirely secured. He stands to earn up to $9 million based on incentive clauses. GM Adam Peters has also shown notable activity in trades, acquiring wide receiver Deebo Samuel and offensive tackle Laremy Tunsil.
- More and more teams are incorporating additional per-game roster bonuses into their contracts. Increasingly common in NFL contracts, especially for those players not frequently injured, are per-game roster bonuses. These bonuses are now essential when signing major deals across several teams such as the 49ers and Patriots. The Patriots are pushing this trend even further. Consider Williams’ four-year agreement worth around $26 million annually; within this deal lie $8.5 million dedicated solely to per-game roster bonuses. Specifically, he will earn $2.55 million from these bonuses in both 2027 and 2028, equating to $150,000 for every game played during those years.
Corry has seven additional observations, and You can find those listed here. .
5. MockDraft Monday: Three signal-callers are selected within the first round
It’s time for another installment of Mock Draft Monday, where we track down one of our NFLDraft experts and make them provide a brand-new mock draft because nothing sets the stage for the week quite like an updated mock draft.
This week’s mock comes from NFL draft analyst Josh Edwards, with three quarterbacks selected in the first round.
Let's take a look at his top 10:
1. Titans: QB Cam Ward (Miami)
2. Browns: EDGE Abdul Carter from Penn State
3. Giants: CB/WR Travis Hunter (Colorado)
4. Patriots: OT Will Campbell (LSU)
5. Jaguars: DL Mason Graham (Michigan)
6. Raiders: WR Tetairoa McMillan (Arizona)
7. Jets: OT Armand Membou (Missouri)
8. Panthers: EDGE Mykel Williams (Georgia)
9. Saints: QB Shedeur Sanders (Colorado)
10. Bears: RB Ashton Jeanty (Boise State)
If you’re curious about what happened to the other first-round quarterback, rest assured, I won’t keep you guessing. Josh envisions the Steelers selecting Mississippi’s Jaxson Dart with the 21st overall pick.
If you wish to see how the remainder of the first round unfolds, make sure to take a look at what Josh has posted. entire mock draft here .
To get additional draft analysis, tune in each week to listen to Ryan Wilson. "With the First Pick ," our year-round NFL Draft podcast here at CBS Sports. You can find "With the First Pick" wherever you get your podcasts, including Apple Podcasts , Spotify and YouTube .
6. Additional points: The Vikings engage in a trade with the 49ers
It was another hectic weekend in the NFL, and with so much action making it hard to follow every detail, I've compiled a summary for your convenience.
- The Vikings have acquired Jordan Mason from the 49ers. The Vikings have brought in an additional running back to team up with Aaron Jones. They traded for Jordan Mason from the 49ers. In this exchange, Minnesota receives Mason along with a 2025 fifth-round draft pick (187th overall), whereas San Francisco gets a 2025 fifth-round selection (160th overall) plus a 2026 sixth-round choice. Here are our assessments of the trade. You can find them here. .
- Jameis Winston set to meet with the Giants. As Aaron Rodgers remains uncertain about his next move, the Giants have been actively signing experienced QBs. They recently had discussions with Joe Flacco, and they plan to meet with Jameis soon. has more details about his visit here .
- Kirk Cousins remains in Atlanta for the time being. Cousins was set to receive a $10 million roster bonus for 2026, which became entirely guaranteed over the weekend. Had the Falcons released him before 4 p.m. ET on Saturday, this guarantee would not have come into effect; however, they chose to retain him instead. This decision strongly suggests that the Falcons do not intend to let go of Cousins without compensation. Should another team desire his services, they will most probably need to acquire him through a trade. find out more details about his circumstances here .
- Cowboys part ways with veteran reserve quarterback. Following eight seasons with the team, Cooper Rush is departing from Dallas. The quarterback who has been Dak Prescott’s primary understudy will now move to Baltimore, where he will take up the role of backup to Lamar Jackson. For more details on Rush's transition, you can continue reading here. new two-year deal here .
- Chargers sign Mekhi Becton . The previous Eagles guard has secured his spot as one of the best remaining options at his position; however, he won’t be found elsewhere now that he’s signed with the Chargers. This signifies a strong commitment from the Chargers, demonstrating their dedication to bolstering protection for quarterback Justin Herbert. have the complete information about Becton's two-year agreement here .
- Smith-Schuster will remain with the Kansas City team. Hollywood Brown is not only coming back for another season with the Kansas City team, but JuJu Smith-Schuter will also be returning as a seasoned player. the recipient has accepted the conditions for a contract lasting one year And now, he is heading back to Kansas City for his third season with the Chiefs.
