Ja'Marr Chase is back…or maybe he?
The Cincinnati Bengals star receiver returned to practice last Sunday, but his status is still unclear.
However, he did not practice with the team on Wednesday.
While many big-name receivers are seeking big paydays, Chase is holding out while seeking a contract extension, and the shift between players practicing and not practicing has created a confusing situation.
Bengals coach Zac Taylor was not definitive on Chase's status Wednesday after expressing confidence just two days ago that Chase would be able to play in the regular season.
His uneasy feelings led longtime NFL host and reporter Trey Wingo to point out that he had been told by a trusted source that “the atmosphere in Cincinnati this summer is not good.”
Taylor said publicly that he would take Chase's status “day to day” and acknowledged he may have spoken too quickly when he suggested the Louisiana State University product should be ready by Week 1.
One could draw that conclusion, but for now the situation remains unclear.
“The smartest thing for us to do is just get over it and continue to take it day by day,” Taylor said. “He's a valuable member of our team and we appreciate him and hope to have him back in the near future.”
Chase is contracted with the Bengals through the 2025 season, though he is eligible for an extension.
He currently joins the Bengals with a salary-cap hit of $9.8 million this season with a fifth-year team option that will increase his salary to $21.8 million next year.
Chase recorded a career-high 100 catches, 1,216 yards receiving and seven touchdowns last season.
The former fifth overall draft pick has 268 receptions for 3,717 receiving yards and 29 touchdowns in his career.
The Bengals, who missed the playoffs last season for the first time since 2020, open their 2024 campaign on Sept. 8 when they host the New England Patriots.
