The Bengals called out the likes of Stephen A. Smith and Pat McAfee by digging up old comments when they doubted the team’s ability to keep Ja’Marr Chase and Tee Higgins.

Earlier this week, the Bengals agreed to spend $276million to retain quarterback Joe Burrow’s favorite receivers.

Chase’s $161m contract makes him the highest-paid non-quarterback in the NFL, while Higgins’ $115m deal will make him one of the league’s top 10 highest-paid receivers. Both have signed four-year extensions.

It comes after months of uncertainty over whether the Bengals would be able to tie down their two star receivers.

On Wednesday, Cincinnati dug up many comments from fans and pundits and NFL insiders who suggested Chase and Higgins would head elsewhere.

‘Let’s face reality, he’s not going to keep Tee Higgins,’ ESPN star Smith said in one of the old clips. ‘They have to take care of Ja’Marr Chase… they can’t pay him.’

The Bengals agreed to spend $276million to keep Ja’Marr Chase (L) and Tee Higgins (R)

Stephen A. Smith and Pat McAfee were among those called out by Cincinnati on social media

Actions speak louder. pic.twitter.com/meEGChNqci

— Cincinnati Bengals (@Bengals) March 20, 2025

Another video shows Mike Florio claiming: ‘The Bengals want to create the impression that they tried… you didn’t try, you failed.’

Some of McAfee’s previous comments were also featured in the minute-long video enтιтled ‘actions speak louder’.

‘Hey, are you going to be able to get a deal done? “Ideally”,’ McAfee said on his show. ‘Ideally is a situation that doesn’t deal with reality.’ 

The next pundit to be called out was Shannon Sharpe. ‘I’m not going saying it can’t be done, I just don’t see how,’ the NFL legend said.

Many posts from NFL fans doubting the Bengals’ willingness to pay Chase and Higgins were also included in the video, which ended with a tweet from the Bengals confirming the deals.