'We’re pretty close': Ja'Marr Chase dishes on contract status with Bengals

Cincinnati Bengals Pro Bowl wide receiver Ja’Marr Chase spoke publicly on the status of his contract negotiation process with the team and his game status for Sunday’s home opener during Friday's press availability at Paycor Stadium. It was the first time Chase talked to the media since the end of the 2023 season.

Chase, 25, is seeking a new deal from the Bengals. The three-time Pro Bowl wide receiver started his session with the local media in Cincinnati by stating he didn’t demand a contract from the Bengals this offseason. Chase said he was told by the Bengals’ “staff” that he would get one.

As for where things stand with Chase and the Bengals in the negotiation process, Chase believes they are close.

“I wanna say we’re off a little bit but it’s in reach,” Chase said. “We’re pretty close, a few numbers need to be switched around and changed other places, but I would say we’re pretty close.”

The saga between the Bengals and Chase started ahead of training camp. Bengals team president and owner Mike Brown said they would “bend over backwards” to get a deal done with Chase. Chase has two years left on his rookie deal with the club.

When asked if Cincinnati’s contract offers thus far have reflected Brown’s statement, Chase said “now it does, yes.”

Chase was present for all but one training camp practice but didn’t participate in any capacity. Things seemed like they were progressing in the right direction when he returned to practice on Aug. 25 as a limited participant. Two days later, head coach Zac Taylor said he was confident Chase would play in the season opener and would continue to practice.

On Aug. 28, Chase showed up to practice 13 minutes late not in uniform and didn’t start practicing again until Sept. 4. It appears Chase was trying to send a message to the front office when he decided to not practice after his coach publicly stated he expected Chase to play.

The wide receiver market has been set for a while now. Cincinnati’s front office and Chase were waiting for Minnesota Vikings wide receiver Justin Jefferson to get his deal because he was expected to reset the market and he did in fact do that. Then, the Dallas Cowboys gave CeeDee Lamb a new deal last week that confirmed the market for the wide receiver position wasn’t going to change.

Chase believes he’s the best wide receiver in the NFL and believes his contract should reflect that because of his production on the field. Based off Chase’s comments Friday, it’s clear he wants his contact to at least match Jefferson’s.

“I’m not really looking to go a lot higher, it’s not really me trying to beat him out, to go crazy,” Chase said. “It’s just what’s right.”

The Vikings ended up giving Jefferson a historic, four-year deal worth $140 million, including $110 million guaranteed. Jefferson’s $35 million average-per-year salary is the highest at the wide receiver position. Lamb agreed on a four-year contract extension worth $136 million, with $100 million guaranteed.

Chase wouldn’t confirm if he was going to play in Cincinnati’s season opener against the New England Patriots. He said it will be a gametime decision and that Friday is his cut off for a new deal to be reached with the Bengals.

If Chase doesn’t get agree to an extension with the Bengals before Sunday’s game, Chase said he will play this season without a new deal. Chase said he thinks there’s a “small chance” the contract extension gets done before Week 1 begins.

“Who knows what will happen in these next couple of hours,” he said.

Chase described the situation as “aggravating” and has tried to keep himself focused on getting in the best shape he can be for the season.

In three seasons with the Bengals, Chase has caught 268 passes for 3,717 yards and 29 touchdowns. He's a three-time Pro Bowler and earned the NFL's Offensive Rookie of the Year in 2021. The Bengals have advanced to the AFC championship game in two of Chase's three professional seasons.

The clock is ticking for the Bengals and Chase to get something done before the start of this season. If a new deal isn’t reached, Chase said he will be open to renegotiating next year with the Bengals. but the price tag will almost certainly go up.

Regardless of what happens in the next 24 hours, Chase is betting on himself to go out and show why he deserves to be paid at the top of his market. The hope for both sides is that they can come to a resolution soon.

“I’m confident it will get done,” Chase said. “I know my worth and I’m sure they know my worth too, that’s easy and simple.”

This article originally appeared on Cincinnati Enquirer: Ja'Marr Chase contract update injury report for Bengals vs. Patriots