Following Ja’Marr Chase and Tee Higgins’ enormous extensions, Lamar Jackson makes fun of Benglas.

In the high-stakes world of the NFL, where rivalries and competition are at the heart of the game, it’s no surprise that players often find themselves in the middle of heated debates and playful jabs at one another. The latest example of this comes after the Cincinnati Bengals made waves by signing star wide receivers Ja’Marr Chase and Tee Higgins to massive contract extensions. While the Bengals celebrated these significant moves, it was Lamar Jackson, quarterback of the Baltimore Ravens, who couldn’t resist poking fun at their situation.

In this article, we’ll explore the context surrounding Chase and Higgins’ lucrative extensions, delve into the reasons why Lamar Jackson decided to make light of the Bengals’ deals, and examine how this playful banter fits into the larger narrative of the AFC North rivalry. This rivalry, one of the fiercest in the NFL, has featured several moments of both intense competition and lighthearted trash talk. Lamar Jackson’s comment is just the latest chapter in a saga that has seen some of the league’s top stars square off both on and off the field.

The Bengals’ Big Extensions

First, it’s important to understand the context surrounding Ja’Marr Chase and Tee Higgins’s contract extensions. The Cincinnati Bengals have been one of the most dynamic teams in the NFL over the past few seasons, and much of their success has been fueled by their explosive offense. At the heart of this offensive attack is their receiving corps, led by Chase and Higgins. Both players have been instrumental in helping Joe Burrow ascend to the top ranks of NFL quarterbacks.

Ja’Marr Chase, drafted in 2021 as the fifth overall pick, quickly emerged as one of the league’s premier wide receivers. He made an immediate impact, earning Offensive Rookie of the Year honors and developing a chemistry with quarterback Joe Burrow that harkens back to their time together at LSU. Chase’s explosive speed, exceptional route-running, and ability to make plays in critical moments have made him a favorite target for Burrow, and he’s already considered one of the best receivers in the league.

Tee Higgins, while perhaps not as flashy as Chase, has been equally valuable to the Bengals’ offense. A second-round pick in 2020, Higgins has developed into one of the most reliable and consistent wide receivers in the league. His combination of size, athleticism, and ability to make contested catches has made him a perfect complement to Chase. While Higgins hasn’t garnered quite the same national attention as Chase, his ability to produce in clutch situations has made him an integral part of the Bengals’ offensive success.

Given their roles in helping the Bengals become Super Bowl contenders, it was clear that both Chase and Higgins were due for significant paydays. In recent years, the Bengals have shown a willingness to lock down their key pieces, and after a strong performance in the 2022 season, both receivers were set for extensions that would make them among the highest-paid wideouts in the NFL.

In early 2023, the Bengals reached agreements with both players on massive contract extensions. Ja’Marr Chase inked a five-year, $125 million extension, which made him one of the highest-paid receivers in the league. Tee Higgins followed suit with a four-year, $92 million extension, cementing his place among the top earners at his position. The moves were seen as a clear statement by the Bengals front office that they were fully committed to building around their offensive stars and keeping their dynamic duo in place for the long term.

For the Bengals, these extensions were a sign of stability and confidence in their future. With a top-tier quarterback in Joe Burrow and now two elite receivers locked up for the foreseeable future, the Bengals were poised to be a Super Bowl contender for years to come.

Lamar Jackson’s Response

While the Bengals were basking in the glow of their successful extensions, Lamar Jackson, the former MVP and quarterback for the Baltimore Ravens, couldn’t help but weigh in on the situation. Known for his playful banter and occasional jabs at other teams and players, Jackson took to social media to make light of the Bengals’ newfound financial commitments.

In a tweet that quickly gained traction, Lamar Jackson jokingly wrote, “So now the Bengals are paying all that money for two wide receivers, huh? Wonder who’s gonna be throwing them the ball… Oh wait, it’s Joe Burrow, right? Hope they enjoy it!”

While Jackson’s comment was clearly lighthearted, it didn’t take long for fans and analysts to recognize the underlying layer of competitive humor. Jackson, who has spent his career in the same division as the Bengals, has been no stranger to rivalry banter. The AFC North is known for its intense, often bitter rivalries, and Lamar Jackson’s tweet was simply the latest instance of the playful (and sometimes not-so-playful) back-and-forth that defines the division.

The AFC North Rivalry: Lamar Jackson vs. Joe Burrow

The rivalry between the Baltimore Ravens and the Cincinnati Bengals has been one of the most competitive and exciting in the NFL in recent years. It’s a rivalry that has been built on the foundation of two high-caliber quarterbacks, Lamar Jackson and Joe Burrow, both of whom are among the league’s top signal-callers. Over the past few seasons, both quarterbacks have taken their respective teams to new heights, with Burrow leading the Bengals to a Super Bowl appearance in 2022 and Jackson capturing an MVP award in 2019.

The competition between Jackson and Burrow has been fierce on the field, with both quarterbacks regularly squaring off in AFC North matchups that have playoff implications. But their rivalry has also extended off the field, with both players engaging in friendly trash talk and subtle digs at each other’s teams. Lamar Jackson’s comment about the Bengals’ new contract extensions for Chase and Higgins was simply the latest example of this off-field banter.

For Jackson, the tweet was a way to poke fun at the Bengals’ commitment to their wide receivers without necessarily addressing the bigger question of whether the Bengals can sustain their success. While the Bengals’ offense has been impressive in recent years, Jackson’s comment hinted at a deeper question that many fans and analysts have asked: can a team win a Super Bowl if it doesn’t have a dominant quarterback to match its explosive weapons? By highlighting Joe Burrow as the person throwing the ball, Jackson subtly pointed to the fact that the Bengals’ success is still heavily reliant on their quarterback, who has yet to win a Super Bowl of his own.

The Bigger Picture: The Ravens’ Offseason Moves

While Lamar Jackson’s comment about the Bengals was all in good fun, it also served as a reminder of the challenges facing the Baltimore Ravens in their own offseason. Unlike the Bengals, the Ravens were in a period of transition, having just wrapped up a contract saga with Jackson that had stretched into the offseason. After several months of uncertainty regarding his future in Baltimore, Jackson ultimately signed a five-year, $260 million contract with the Ravens, making him one of the highest-paid quarterbacks in the NFL.

However, despite the resolution of Jackson’s contract dispute, the Ravens were still playing catch-up in terms of roster building. One of the key issues for the Ravens in recent years has been their lack of consistent weapons for Jackson. While the Ravens have traditionally relied on a strong running game and elite defense, their receiving corps has been far less impressive than that of the Bengals. The Ravens’ lack of playmaking talent at wide receiver has been a point of contention for both Jackson and the Ravens’ fanbase, with many hoping that the team would make moves to bolster their offensive firepower.

In the 2023 offseason, the Ravens attempted to address this issue by acquiring Odell Beckham Jr. and drafting Zay Flowers, but questions still remain about whether these moves will be enough to rival the Bengals’ offensive juggernaut. In many ways, Lamar Jackson’s playful comment about the Bengals was a reflection of the reality he faces in the AFC North. While the Bengals have one of the best offenses in the league, the Ravens are still in the process of building around their star quarterback.

The Impact of the Banter: Fuel for the Fire

Lamar Jackson’s comment may have been playful, but it’s the kind of banter that often serves to fuel the fire in the AFC North rivalry. These jabs, while not always taken seriously, add to the drama and intensity of the division, which has been home to some of the NFL’s most heated rivalries. The Bengals and Ravens will meet multiple times during the regular season, and each game is bound to be filled with intensity, both on and off the field.

For Jackson, the comment also serves as a reminder that he’s not just a player focused on his own team but someone who understands the dynamics of his division. By poking fun at the Bengals, he’s keeping the rivalry alive, adding a layer of intrigue and drama that fans thrive on. This kind of off-the-field banter will only heighten the anticipation for future matchups between these two teams.

The Rivalry Continues

While the Bengals may have secured two major contract extensions for Ja’Marr Chase and Tee Higgins, the Baltimore Ravens and Lamar Jackson aren’t backing down from the challenge. Lamar’s playful jab at the Bengals is just the latest chapter in an ongoing rivalry that is sure to produce more entertaining moments on and off the field. As the AFC North continues to be one of the most competitive divisions in the NFL, fans can expect more fiery exchanges, trash talk, and intense games between these two teams.

For the Ravens and Lamar Jackson, the road ahead is filled with both challenges and opportunities. With the Bengals stacking their roster, the Ravens must continue to build around Jackson to keep pace. But in the meantime, Lamar Jackson’s playful comment serves as a reminder that, in the world of professional football, the trash talk is as much a part of the game as the plays themselves.