The Cincinnati Bengals are just a week away from starting the 2024 season, but a major storyline involving their wide receivers continues to loom. After dealing with the Tee Higgins contract situation over the summer without reaching a long-term agreement, the Bengals now find themselves in a tense situation with star wideout Ja’Marr Chase.
Chase is pushing for a new contract after seeing fellow star receivers Justin Jefferson, CeeDee Lamb, and Brandon Aiyuk secure deals this summer. However, Chase’s case is slightly different as he’s entering his fourth NFL season and still has a fifth-year option available in 2025. Unlike Jefferson and Lamb, who were also first-round picks and signed new contracts heading into their fifth-year options in 2024, Chase is seeking his extension earlier.
While the Bengals technically have time to finalize a deal and might usually wait until the next offseason, Chase is making it clear he wants to be paid now, as evidenced by his absence from practice leading up to Week 1.
This approach is working in Chase’s favor, with the Bengals feeling the pressure. According to ESPN’s Jeremy Fowler, the team has ramped up efforts to secure a deal with Chase before the regular season kicks off.
My sense is the #Bengals have intensified efforts in recent days to place Ja’Marr Chase among the NFL’s highest-paid receivers on an extension. Can they beat the clock?
(@SportsCenter with @garystriewski) pic.twitter.com/lMBG56wAdk
— Jeremy Fowler (@JFowlerESPN) August 31, 2024
For Bengals fans, the news is encouraging. Although the team could wait until next summer to negotiate, the urgency to resolve Chase’s contract before the season is a positive sign. The last thing the Bengals need is a drama involving their star receiver, especially with Higgins playing in the final year of his contract. If unresolved, this situation could create a toxic environment that might derail the season and lead to further complications next offseason.
While the Bengals hold some leverage with Chase’s fifth-year option, other teams would undoubtedly line up for a chance to trade for him if things soured. Unlike the Aiyuk situation with the San Francisco 49ers, this likely wouldn’t end well for the Bengals if Chase becomes too disgruntled.
Chase’s decision to apply pressure this early in his contract might be unconventional, but the Bengals have little choice but to get the deal done. In the end, no one will care about the salary cap or finances if the Bengals win a Super Bowl.
