Bengals Star Ja’Marr Chase’s Contract Saga Takes Another Turn as Season Opener Approaches

The Cincinnati Bengals have been in the middle of a contract dispute with star wide receiver Ja’Marr Chase all summer. Chase has wanted a massive extension from the Bengals while Cincinnati hasn’t been willing to extend a deal this summer.

Chase has been attending practice throughout training camp but hasn’t participated in practice too often. His status for Week 1 against the New England Patriots remains in question with the season starting next weekend.

The hope from the Bengals’ side of things, the hope is that Chase does suit up for the season opener. But without a new contract, nobody knows what the star receiver will do.

However, there may be some light coming at the end of the tunnel. According to NFL insider Jeremy Fowler, the Bengals have may intensified their efforts to give Chase a new extension.

“From what I’ve heard, the Bengals have intensified their efforts to try to get this done in recent days. They are hopeful to try to get him back out on the practice field, cause there has been that hold-in, on Monday to get this going and get him under contract on a deal that would be well above $30 million per year.”

He likely wants to become the highest-paid receiver in the NFL but that remains to be seen. Chase has been one of the most productive players in the NFL since the Bengals drafted in No. 5 overall in the 2021 NFL Draft.

Working alongside co-star Tee Higgins, Chase has helped the Bengals offense be taken to new heights. The chemistry he has displayed with quarterback Joe Burrow has turned Cincinnati into one of the best teams in the NFL.

Not having him to start the season would be a massive hit to the overall chances of Cincinnati for the year.