The Cincinnati Bengals and Ja’Marr Chase won’t have an extension done before Week 1 kickoff on Sunday.
So says ESPN’s Adam Schefter: “Now official: The Bengals and WR Ja’Marr Chase are not expected to reach a contract extension before today’s regular-season opener, per sources. It remains unclear if Chase will play today. Actives/Inactives in 30 minutes.”
Chase is set to play 2024 on the fourth year of his rookie contract, a $9.8 million cap charge that — technically — only featured $1 million in base salary.
Conventional wisdom said the sides would do an extension in the summer of 2025 before his fifth-year option season. But the wideout market developed faster than expected with Justin Jefferson resetting it completely and both CeeDee Lamb and Brandon Aiyuk coming close.
Those big names out of the way, Chase rightfully performed a “hold-in” during camp and impressed the organization in the process, missing all but one day of training camp.
Chase appeared to force the team’s hand by returning to practice, then sending a message by reverting back to being a non-participant last week after head coach Zac Taylor suggested everything was back to normal.
Right after that, a report emerged that the Bengals had “intensified their efforts” to get something done. Chase then joined practices before Week 1, but told reporters that while he might play without an extension, it also might be on a “limited” basis.
The team had always been adamant Chase will remain alongside Joe Burrow, but it appears an extension will have to wait until next summer — pending his participation on game days and how things develop from here.
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