Ja’marr Chase, the standout wide receiver for the Cincinnati Bengals, had hoped for a significant contract extension from the team this offseason. However, similar to his teammate Tee Higgins, the chances of that happening in the upcoming months are slim.
Bengals owner Mike Brown addressed the topic of Chase’s extension and appeared to dismiss the idea for the current offseason. Brown expressed, “It’s not the ideal time for negotiations,” according to ESPN’s Ben Baby. He emphasized focusing on football at this time but didn’t entirely rule out the possibility.
Although Chase skipped the voluntary offseason activities, he did attend the mandatory minicamp. He had been waiting to see the contract Justin Jefferson secured in free agency with the Minnesota Vikings before initiating talks with the Bengals.
Jefferson signed a lucrative four-year deal worth $140 million, setting a benchmark that Chase aims to surpass in due time.
Despite the improbability of reaching a deal this offseason, Brown was clear that the Bengals have long-term plans for the star wide receiver. He affirmed, “We are determined to make it work,” as reported by Olivia Ray of WLWT. The timeline for the agreement remains uncertain.
Since being drafted fifth overall in the 2021 NFL Draft, Chase has demonstrated his value to the Bengals. As a rookie, he contributed significantly to the team’s run to the Super Bowl with 81 receptions for 1,455 yards and 13 touchdowns.
Last season, Chase achieved his first 100-catch season, accumulating 1,216 yards and seven touchdowns. His strong partnership with quarterback Joe Burrow from their LSU days has made him a pivotal player in the Cincinnati offense.
Recognized as one of the premier wide receivers in the NFL, it is likely that the Bengals will reward Chase when the time is right. The franchise has a history of looking after its star players, with Chase seeming to take precedence over Higgins in discussions about which receiver to prioritize.