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.

The Cincinnati Bengals and All-Pro wide receiver Ja’Marr Chase enter another offseason of intense contract negotiations. After not being able to agree on a new deal ahead of last season, the Bengals and Chase will now resume negotiations. Chase is entering the final year of his rookie deal with the Bengals.

Last offseason, Spotrac provided a projection for an extension for Chase that came in at $120 million over four years, with an average annual value of $30 million. It also included $46 million ...