The message remains the same: no one really knows what’s going on with the Cincinnati Bengals‘ negotiations with wide receiver Ja’Marr Chase. Both sides are staying perfectly quiet. What we do know is that Chase wants a contract, the Bengals want to (eventually) give him one, and the fourth-year wideout is attending practices without participating. He may not actually practice until a deal is done.
Recent history tells us that the next few weeks is when that could happen.
Three of the Bengals’ four largest contract extensions in terms of average annual value have all materialized around the same time of the calendar. Quarterback Andy Dalton’s contract worth $16MM per year came in early August, but deals A.J. Green ($15MM AAV), Geno Atkins ($16.3MM AAV) and Joe Burrow ($55MM AAV) all happened in the final days of the offseason.
Atkins signed on August 28. Burrow did so on September 7. Green went on September 11. Is this the range of dates to keep in mind for Chase? Sports Illustrated NFL insider Albert Breer believes the most case (Burrow) is reason to think a deal for Chase before the season is still on the table.
“I want to say yes, based on how things played out with Joe Burrow last year—where the quarterback’s negotiation went all the way into Week 1, with the deal closing three days before the Cincinnati Bengals’ opener. It’s why I don’t think there’s any huge reason to panic (in addition to the fact that Chase is under contract for another two years).” – SI’s Albert Breer
Cincinnati’s process of putting together large extensions is historically time-consuming. Burrow was the first player to receive guaranteed salaries outside the first year of his new deal in franchise history. Chase is the kind of player who deserves that reward as well. Working with this in mind can predictably be a long-winded endeavor.
But Breer also believes that, even though he’s preserving his body by not practicing, Chase and his representation don’t mind waiting to see how the rest of the receiver market plays out with CeeDee Lamb and Brandon Aiyuk awaiting deals.
“That said, my sense is Chase’s side hasn’t been in some massive rush to get a deal done, and I’d think there are two reasons for that, which play into one another. First, Justin Jefferson’s deal, done at $35 million per year, is so far above where the market had been previously that it’s complicated the other remaining high-end receiver negotiations. Second, waiting for CeeDee Lamb and Brandon Aiyuk could bring more clarity.” – SI’s Albert Breer
All of this was put in motion by Justin Jefferson’s market-setting contract worth $35MM a year. It was an unprecedented figure for not just a receiver, but for any non-quarterback in league history. The Minnesota Vikings didn’t particularly rush to get that deal done, either. Jefferson had to wait until after playing for four years to sign the contract.
That could be what happens to Chase as well. The Bengals’ leverage hasn’t been diminished as they still have their star wideout under contract for two more seasons. He doesn’t have much of a choice but to play when the games begin.
But all sides would agree that getting a deal done as soon as possible would clear the air and disperse any distractions. We’ll see if the usual timeline repeats itself early next month.
