There has been much done and said about the Ja’Marr Chase-Cincinnati Bengals contract negotiations drama. Ever since Training Camp kicked off, the Bengals’ superstar receiver has been sitting out save for two practices last week. Then, after a positive update from head coach Zac Taylor, Chase went back to holding in.
“We’ll See” About Ja’Marr Chase
Zac Taylor on Ja’Marr Chase’s situation & whether he will practice today:
“We’ll see.” pic.twitter.com/EzW9piRoHB
— Caleb Noe (@CalebNoeTV) September 4, 2024
Taylor met with the media leading up to Wednesday’s practice and was about as non-committal as can be regarding his star wide receiver. He answered the first handful of questions curtly, “we’ll see.”
When asked later by Locked on Bengals and Cincinnati Bengals Talk host James Rapien about whether or not Taylor and Chase have maintained the level of communication they had prior, the coach said that they had.
On the surface, it sure looks like Taylor is getting a tad annoyed regarding the Chase contract talks and how they affect the team. Of course, considering Taylor is on Chase’s side, as are the rest of his teammates, it’s probably more of an, “I’m getting tired of answering the same 10 questions to start the press conference, no offense to you all.”
“That’s Ja’Marr Chase’s Music”
Despite the curt, non-committal answer from Taylor, Chase was back at practice, helmet in hand.
Ja’Marr Chase takes the field, dressed for practice. Helmet in-hand.
Applause & cheers from a few fans who showed-up.#Bengals @WCPO pic.twitter.com/glzjLZX4cr
— Caleb Noe (@CalebNoeTV) September 4, 2024
Of course, we will have to wait to see what the injury/participation report says when it is released later today. Most Bengals fans are optimistic that a deal is going to get done sooner rather than later.
And no, the Bengals are not going to cut Chase or trade him away, no matter how many times you see people on Facebook rail on about him.
Chase is integral to the future of the Cincinnati Bengals. They’ve taken care of their top guys for years now. Chad Johnson and A.J. Green both earned massive second contracts and Chase has the talent to be better than both. Even with Burrow’s contract, the Bengals can get it done.
Look to the Past for the Future
The last three franchise quarterbacks were paid. Carson Pamer, Andy Dalton, and Joe Burrow each received massive second contracts. Their top receivers were also paid.
Chase is not Mohamed Sanu or Marvin Jones, as many fans like to point out thinking the Bengals will be cheap. Cincinnati will “bend over backward” to get this deal done.
It’s very likely that the two sides are very close to a deal.
Last year, the Bengals announced the Burrow extension as the Kansas City Chiefs kicked off their Week 1 Thursday Night Football game against the Detroit Lions.
This year, the Chiefs play the Baltimore Ravens.
There’s been a feeling that the team is going to be just as petty as it was last year and announce another record-breaking contract as soon as two of their biggest rivals are set to face off, taking the attention off the AFC Championship rematch.
Regardless of the timing, it’s starting to look like Chase will suit up for Week 1. Sure, he did opt out of his junior year at LSU…but this is a vastly different situation. For one, we aren’t in a pandemic (or, at the very least, not one as severe as it was at the time). Secondly, Chase did not lose any money. He was going to be a top-five pick regardless. Now, he’s subject to fines.
Chase will be a Bengal for a long time. Don’t worry.
