NFL Rumors: Bengals’ Ja’Marr Chase ‘In Good Spirits’ Despite Lack of New Contract

Mike Chiari@@mikechiariFeatured Columnist IVSeptember 14, 2024

Jeff Moreland/Icon Sportswire via Getty Images

Despite not yet getting the new contract he desires, Cincinnati Bengals superstar wide receiver Ja’Marr Chase’s mood reportedly hasn’t been negatively impacted.

According to Dianna Russini of The Athletic, Chase has been practicing all week and is said to be in “good spirits.”

Chase was a hold-in during training camp in an attempt to secure a new deal before the start of the regular season, but when it didn’t happen, Chase returned to practice a few days before the Bengals’ season opener against the New England Patriots and ended up playing in the game.

Despite having limited practice time, Chase operated as the Bengals’ No. 1 wideout, played 84 percent of the offensive snaps and finished with six receptions for 62 yards, but the Bengals surprisingly fell 16-10 at home to the Pats.

After returning to practice prior to the opener, Chase was open and honest about where things stood between him and the Bengals.

Per ESPN’s Adam Schefter, Chase told the media that while he believed he and the Bengals were within reach of a deal, he would be willing to play out the 2024 season without a new contract.

Chase also seemed to confirm that he wants to be the highest-paid wide receiver in the NFL, as he addressed rumors that he wanted his contract to be “one cent” higher than the four-year, $140 million contract Justin Jefferson signed with the Minnesota Vikings.

The Bengals star told reporters he wanted to “beat the s–t” out of Jefferson in terms of contract value:

Marshall Kramsky @marshallkramskyI asked Ja’Marr Chase if the reports are true that he wants one penny more than Justin Jefferson.

Ja’Marr Chase: “If I want to beat Justin, I’m going to beat the sh*t out of Justin” #Bengals @WCPO pic.twitter.com/04RQTCwnav

It remains to be seen if the Bengals are willing to give Chase that type of deal, but he has undoubtedly been one of the elite wideouts in the league since Cincinnati made him the No. 5 overall pick in the 2021 NFL draft.

Chase was named 2021 NFL Offensive Rookie of the Year and a Pro Bowler in each of his first three NFL seasons.

When adding in his production from Week 1, Chase has 274 receptions for 3,779 yards and 29 touchdowns in 46 career games, plus 45 grabs for 588 yards and three scores in seven playoff games.

Bengals No. 2 receiver Tee Higgins was out in Week 1 due to a hamstring injury and is doubtful to play in Week 2.

Without Higgins on the field against New England, quarterback Joe Burrow and the Cincinnati offense struggled to operate. That could be the Bengals’ future since Higgins is set to hit free agency during the offseason.

Losing Chase on top of that would be a massive blow to the Bengals, so there may be some sense of urgency to get him locked up even though he still has two years left on his contract.

Chase could potentially help his case for a new deal significantly in Week 2 if he performs well in a massive road game against the reigning Super Bowl champion Kansas City Chiefs on Sunday.