Chase has been current with the Bengals all through coaching camp, however he has not often been on the observe discipline whereas negotiations on a monster extension happen. The three-time Professional Bowler is positioned to land a deal at or close to the highest of the receiver market, a dedication which (if finalized) will break with organizational custom by way of together with assured cash past 12 months 1 of an extension. That was a requirement for Joe Burrow‘s pact, nevertheless it stays to be seen if one with an identical construction is labored out in Chase’s case.
The 24-year-old’s camp slow-played negotiations throughout the spring in the eyes of the team, however Justin Jefferson, CeeDee Lamb and Brandon Aiyuk have all agreed to extensions with their respective squads this offseason. These pacts vary between $30M and $34M in annual worth and the Lamb accord bridged the hole between Jefferson and the remainder of the market by way of ensures. A dedication surpassing the one Minnesota made for Jefferson may be wanted for Cincinnati to maintain Chase in place past 2025.
With the Bengals seeming to desire waiting until next offseason to get a deal carried out with the LSU product, questions have lingered concerning whether or not or not he’ll take the sector for Week 1. Certainly, ESPN’s Dan Graziano notes some throughout the group have introduced up Le’Veon Bell‘s 2018 Steelers holdout when discussing Chase’s state of affairs. Throughout his last faculty marketing campaign, Chase opted out of the pandemic-altered season figuring out he could be one of many high prospects in his draft class. Chosen with the No. 5 general decide in 2021, his reunion with Burrow has paid appreciable dividends.
Chase has raked up 29 touchdowns in his three common seasons thus far, surpassing 1,000 yards every time. Expectations shall be excessive for continued manufacturing on that degree transferring ahead, particularly if franchise tag recipient Tee Higgins departs in free company subsequent March. The Bengals have made a push in recent days to finalize an extension, however neither Burrow nor head coach Zac Taylor has firmly said Chase shall be on the sector for Week 1. A scarcity of observe reps is just not a priority, nevertheless.
“Preparation is a crucial a part of on the point of play video games, however I don’t have a ‘Hey, this threshold must be met for this particular person on this specific occasion,,” offensive coordinator Dan Pitcher stated (via Graziano’s colleague Ben Baby). “We take it day-by-day and make the perfect resolution we expect we will make within the second.”
Cincinnati’s 2024 marketing campaign will start in opposition to New England on Sunday. The Bengals will little question wish to have readability on Chase’s state of affairs by that time, nevertheless it stays to be seen if he shall be accessible.
