After collaborating in some mild practices earlier within the week, Bengals large receiver Ja’Marr Chase noticed follow from the sideline over the previous few days. This tactic gave the impression to be a resumption of his coaching camp hold-in, with the wideout persevering with to hunt a profitable contract extension. With Week 1 quickly approaching, it feels like Chase’s efforts could also be working.
According to ESPN’s Jeremy Fowler, the Bengals have “intensified” their efforts to increase Chase in current days. The group’s purpose is to get the wideout again on the follow area for the beginning of subsequent week, and there’s some optimism throughout the constructing that the 2 sides can discover widespread floor.
As famous all through this saga, Chase’s two remaining years are a negotiation hurdle. Fowler provides extra context, noting that the Bengals are cautious of guaranteeing an excessive amount of cash after they nonetheless have the previous first-round choose locked in by the 2025 marketing campaign.
From a total-value perspective, the Bengals are greater than keen to satisfy Chase’s calls for. Per Fowler, the group is keen to pay Chase greater than $30M per season. Nonetheless, it was assumed the entrance workplace must promise this AAV, contemplating six wideouts at the moment are at or above that threshold. We heard recently that multiple teams expect Chase to prime Justin Jefferson‘s $35M AAV, however it feels like Chase’s ensures would path Jefferson’s $88M-plus in assured cash.
With the wideout attending follow, Chase appeared to have deserted his hold-in earlier this week. Zac Taylor was definitive that his star wideout can be accessible for Week 1, however issues took a flip because the week went on. Chase attended practices on Wednesday and Thursday however was noticed sporting avenue garments, and Taylor was fast to stroll again his earlier feedback.
Taylor’s declaration may find yourself being right. Nonetheless, it feels like the 2 sides nonetheless have to beat their contract staring contest earlier than subsequent Sunday.