Cincinnati Bengals star wide receiver Ja’Marr Chase was eligible for a contract extension for the first time this past offseason. However, like his teammate Tee Higgins, no agreement has been reached.
With training camp starting this week, the Bengals are running out of time to secure Chase’s future. Higgins is already playing under the franchise tag, creating a potentially problematic situation for Cincinnati.
Bengals president Mike Brown commented on the situation, saying, “It’s not so likely that this is the good time to negotiate,” via ESPN’s Adam Schefter. He added that the offseason is a more suitable period for such discussions, though he didn’t completely rule out the possibility of an in-season extension.
Despite Brown’s remarks, it’s common for contract extensions to be finalized at this time of the year. For instance, Jordan Love is expected to sign a significant deal with the Green Bay Packers, and Brandon Aiyuk might secure a long-term contract with the San Francisco 49ers.
Delaying Ja’Marr Chase’s contract could be a mistake for the Bengals. With Higgins set to play under the franchise tag and having requested a trade in the spring, handling both players’ contracts next offseason could be challenging. Chase is likely to be prioritized, potentially leaving Higgins to explore free agency.
Ja’Marr Chase has been outstanding in his first three NFL seasons, amassing 268 receptions, 3,717 yards, and 29 touchdowns. Ideally, he would follow in the footsteps of Minnesota Vikings star Justin Jefferson, who recently signed a four-year, $140 million extension. Chase’s new deal would likely be close to this figure.
For now, the Bengals’ hesitancy to spend might create future complications. How this situation unfolds remains to be seen.
