Cincinnati Bengals WR Ja’Marr Chase Clarifies: He Doesn’t Just Want 1 More Penny Than Justin Jefferson

In the midst of one of the NFL’s most high-profile contract negotiations, reports surfaced that Cincinnati Bengals wide receiver Ja’Marr Chase wanted to beat former LSU Tigers teammate Justin Jefferson’s contract by one penny.

Chase and Jefferson are friends and Jefferson was recently made the highest-paid wide receiver in the NFL by the Minnesota Vikings with a four-year, $140 million contract.

Cincinnati Bengals WR Ja’Marr Chase clarified the “one penny more” report

The “one penny more” report originally came from NFL insider Ian Rapoport, who said beating out Jefferson was important to Chase in an article from CBS Sports.

“My understanding is that the two sides are still discussing a long-term extension, that, if he got it, would make him either: Tied for the highest-paid receiver with Justin Jefferson, or beating Justin Jefferson by one cent, which I believe is the goal by Ja’Marr Chase,” Ian Rapoport said this week.

Chase was asked bout this report when he addressed the media for the first time Friday. While Chase said he and the Bengals are close to an agreement, he also clarified the report and made his feelings toward his contract in relation to Jefferson’s known.

I asked Ja’Marr Chase if the reports are true that he wants one penny more than Justin Jefferson.

Ja’Marr Chase: “If I want to beat Justin, I’m going to beat the sh*t out of Justin” #Bengals @WCPO pic.twitter.com/04RQTCwnav

— Marshall Kramsky (@marshallkramsky) September 6, 2024

In the same media session, Chase maintained that he is the best wide receiver in the league and he just wants what he believes he is worth.

It would take a massive contract for Chase to beat out Jefferson by a significant amount. Jefferson is the highest-paid wide receiver in the history of the NFL and his contract was just put together this offseason.

Fellow star wide receiver CeeDee Lamb, who had more yards, receptions and touchdowns than Chase in 2023, more recently signed a four-year, $136 million contract.

Chase and the Bengals sound close to a contract, but the wide receiver market could be reset twice in one offseason if Chase gets what he wants.

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