Cincinnati Bengals head coach Zac Taylor, by now, has made it clear that he won’t offer up much in the way of details about the Ja’Marr Chase situation.
Chase has been what can be described as a “hold-in” at Bengals training camp so far as he awaits a long-term contract extension that will reset the wideout market.
Meaning, he’s been there with teammates, working out and even mentoring hyped rookie Jermaine Burton, yet not technically participating in practices.
Speaking with reporters to start the week, Taylor kept things vague again.
“I feel good about how we’ve communicated,” Taylor said. “He and I have been on the same page with everything he’s done.”
Taylor even mentioned his appreciation for the way Chase has been helping along younger teammates such as Burton, too.
While the national perspective has strangely focused on the fact Chase will only make $4.86 million total in 2024, the fourth year of his rookie deal, the star wideout himself has made it clear he wanted to wait for other wideouts to sign before doing his extension. Bengals director of player personnel Duke Tobin has confirmed talks have already occurred.
With Justin Jefferson already resetting the market and CeeDee Lamb perhaps happening soon too, Chase would be the next man up. Even so, the target date for an extension still appears to be this time next year.
And even if this early stretch doesn’t lead to an extension this summer, it isn’t all that unreasonable for load management to enter the conversation in late July.
LIVE: Zac Taylor Speaks to the media https://t.co/zzR4uwu2Qg
— Cincinnati Bengals (@Bengals) July 29, 2024
[lawrence-auto-related count=3 category=1]