Cincinnati Bengals star receiver Ja’Marr Chase finally suited up in uniform and took part in his first full practice of training camp.
Chase, who sat out the preseason due to a contract dispute with the Bengals, was spotted practicing with the rest of his teammates.
There has been no word on whether Chase has come to terms with the front office on the long-term contract extension he sought.
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Bengals guard Ja’Marr Chase reacts after making a catch during a game against the Minnesota Vikings at Pacor Stadium on Dec. 16, 2023 in Cincinnati. (Jeff Dean/Getty Images)
However, Chase was at the team facility and reportedly took part in some drills before practice on Sunday.
However, he has yet to take part in a full practice, with that streak ending today, Sept. 8, in Week 1’s game against the New England Patriots.
Chase is in his fourth season in the NFL and, like many star receivers this offseason, is looking to cash in on the good stuff he got out of his four-year, $30.8 million rookie contract.
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Several receivers got paid this offseason, but Minnesota Vikings star Justin Jefferson, Chase’s former LSU teammate, received the biggest contract extension ever, worth $140 million over four years, paying him $35 million annually and topping the league for his position group.
The Detroit Lions paid Amon-Ra St. Brown $120 million over four years, and the Philadelphia Eagles re-signed A.J. Brown (three years, $96 million), keeping him through the 2029 season.
The Bengals picked up Chase’s fifth-year option, so he’s set to make $21.8 million next season, but given the signing bonuses of the league’s other top receivers, he wants to get a deal done before the new year.
From left, Bengals guards Cole Burgess and Ja’Marr Chase meet during mandatory minicamp at the IEL indoor facility on June 12, 2024 in Cincinnati. (Dylan Buell/Getty Images)
He’s not the only high-profile receiver seeking a contract extension. Dallas Cowboys wide receiver CeeDee Lamb hasn’t been seen at the facility this offseason due to an unfolding contract dispute with owner Jerry Jones. The San Francisco 49ers are also dealing with the Brandon Aiyuk situation.
But the Bengals and their fans can take some solace knowing Chase is back practicing with the team with two weeks to go before the start of the regular season. It’s no secret how important Chase is to quarterback Joe Burrow, who signed a $275 million contract extension before the start of last season.
When Burrow and Chase are both healthy (which wasn’t the case in 2023 after Burrow missed seven games with a wrist injury), the Bengals’ offense is lethal. They reached back-to-back AFC Championship Games in 2021 and 2022 and also made it to the Super Bowl once, where they lost to the Los Angeles Rams.
The Bengals hope to reach those heights again this season, but to do so they will need the playmaking ability that Chase, the top receiver in their roster, brings.
Cincinnati Bengals player Ja’Marr Chase plays in the NFL Pro Bowl Game on February 4, 2024 in Orlando, Florida. (Megan Briggs/Getty Images)
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It remains to be seen whether that production will equate to a new extension before the season begins.
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