As Bengals Eye Super Bowl Return, They Must First Solve Ja’Marr Chase's High-Stakes Contract Situation
CINCINNATI — Amid a sea of white team jerseys and helmets, Ja’Marr Chase stood out on the final day before padded practices began at the Cincinnati Bengals' training camp. Unlike his teammates, the three-time Pro Bowl receiver wore a baseball cap, signaling his absence from organized physical activity. Chase, who has one year remaining on his rookie deal with a fifth-year option and potential franchise tags, is holding in—participating in meetings and walking through some concepts on his own—as he campaigns for a contract extension.
The receiver market in the NFL is booming, with recent deals setting new benchmarks. The Detroit Lions' Amon-Ra St. Brown secured a four-year extension worth $77 million guaranteed and $30 million per year, a record that lasted only a day before the Philadelphia Eagles' A.J. Brown received $84 million in guarantees and a $32 million annual average salary. The Minnesota Vikings then set a non-quarterback precedent by giving Justin Jefferson a four-year, $140 million contract with $110 million guaranteed.
Chase's non-participation might seem dramatic, but the market dynamics suggest otherwise. The time is ripe for NFL wide receivers on the brink of extension to maximize their value. "He’s obviously a huge part of our offense," Bengals offensive coordinator Dan Pitcher told Yahoo Sports. "The business part is the business part. Those two sides are going to handle that how they need to handle it. We obviously would love to have Ja’Marr practicing. But I think everybody here understands the elements at play."
The Bengals have no intention of moving forward without Chase, who has caught 268 passes for 3,717 yards and 29 touchdowns in just three seasons. Team owner Mike Brown described Chase as the team’s most important piece after quarterback Joe Burrow, whom they extended last summer. "We’re going to bend over backward to get it done," Brown told reporters on July 22. "I can’t tell you when, though."
A person with knowledge of negotiations told Yahoo Sports that the Bengals want to extend Chase before the start of this season. The market isn’t slowing down, with the Chicago Bears' recent extension for receiver DJ Moore ranking sixth in average annual salary and third in guarantees. The Dallas Cowboys and San Francisco 49ers could further shift the market with potential deals for CeeDee Lamb and Brandon Aiyuk.
Chase’s agents, Rocky Arceneaux and Jason Lampert, are expected to argue that their client deserves Jefferson-stratosphere money. Chase’s value is projected to rise, and the Bengals' offense, which slipped last year to 16th in scoring and 22nd in total yardage, relies heavily on him. Quarterback Joe Burrow’s health is also a top concern, as the oft-injured quarterback tore a ligament in his wrist last November and underwent surgery in December.
The Bengals aim to improve their explosiveness on offense, having produced the 10th-fewest plays of 20+ yards last season. Chase’s impact is undeniable, from his 266-yard, three-touchdown performance against the Kansas City Chiefs in 2021 to his go-ball separation skills showcased last December in Jacksonville. "He almost has a running back physique or body, [which] makes him such a dangerous guy with yards after the catch," Bengals defensive coordinator Lou Anarumo told Yahoo Sports. "He accelerates when the ball's in the air. He has a different speed to go get it. And when he tracks it, his hands are so big and strong that it's hard to get off him."
The Bengals must decide what a special player like Chase is worth, especially in a market where they’re not paying a quarterback top dollar. With Joe Mixon no longer anchoring the run game and Tee Higgins facing a franchise-tag season, Chase’s production and the defensive attention he commands are crucial for the Bengals’ Super Bowl pursuit. "We feel like he’s a great fit for us but we also feel like we’re a great fit for him and I think he realizes that," Director of player personnel Duke Tobin said entering training camp. "Normally in those situations something can find a way to get done so we’ll see. He’s pretty valuable."
As the Bengals don their pads and eye a return to the Super Bowl, the high-stakes contract situation with Ja’Marr Chase looms large, a critical piece in the puzzle of their championship aspirations.