The Cincinnati Bengals are ready to open contract negotiations again with wide receiver Ja'Marr Chase, who likely is seeking to become the highest-paid non-quarterback in the NFL.

The Bengals’ front office should expect Ja'Marr Chase’s representation to ask for significantly more than what Cincinnati’s final offer was after the season the wide receiver produced.

The 6-foot, 201-pound receiver is set to earn $21.8 million next season. However, he’s aiming to become the NFL’s highest-paid wide receiver, surpassing his former LSU teammate, Justin Jefferson, who currently makes $35 million per year with the Minnesota Vikings.

Near the end of the season, serious momentum seemed to suggest the Cincinnati Bengals would be able to keep Ja’Marr Chase and Tee Higgins on long-term contracts. Now, a little pushback to the idea has arrived, courtesy of anonymous NFL executives.

Joe Burrow's public attempts to encourage the Cincinnati Bengals to keep both of their star wide receivers don't seem likely to pay off. Per ESPN's

Bengals WR Ja’Marr Chase will now resume negotiations with the team this offseason, as he is entering the final year of his rookie deal and did not get a long-term extension ahead of the season.

Cincinnati Bengals quarterback Joe Burrow has effectively admitted he likely won’t win MVP this year despite his spectacular season. Fans can be able to forgive Ja’Marr Chase, then, for wondering aloud if somebody else might win the award this year.