JUST IN: Minnesota Vikings confirm a huge deal done with Cincinnati Bengals star
Most of the NFL’s contract disputes have been resolved, but Cincinnati Bengals star Ja’Marr Chase remains the last wide receiver seeking a major deal. His negotiations have come into focus after Justin Jefferson of the Vikings, CeeDee Lamb of the Cowboys, and Brandon Aiyuk of the 49ers secured substantial contracts. According to Ian Rapoport of NFL Network, Chase is pushing the idea of “every penny counts” to new levels. Rapoport noted that both sides are discussing a long-term extension that could either match Justin Jefferson as the highest-paid receiver or surpass him by just one cent, which appears to be Chase’s objective. It remains to be seen if the deal will be finalized before the season begins. Despite the contract uncertainty, Rapoport also mentioned that Chase is likely to play in Week 1, as he is “holding in” for a new deal, meaning he is still contractually bound to play for the Bengals.
Chase’s contract situation bears a strong resemblance to that of his former LSU teammate, Justin Jefferson, who faced a similar scenario with the Vikings a year ago. Jefferson, who set an NFL record with 4,825 receiving yards in his first three seasons, entered negotiations early and ultimately signed a four-year, $140 million extension, making him the highest-paid non-quarterback in NFL history. Chase has a comparable record, amassing 3,717 yards in his first three seasons with the Bengals, including a standout rookie season in 2021 where he helped lead the team to the Super Bowl.
However, the Bengals are in a tight spot with only $9.5 million in cap space. With quarterback Joe Burrow’s five-year, $275 million extension kicking in and fellow receiver Tee Higgins dealing with his own contract issues after signing the franchise tag, the Bengals may have to wait until the next offseason to meet Chase’s demands. Jefferson’s gamble to play through the 2024 season paid off, despite suffering a hamstring injury that limited him to 10 games, and it’s likely the Bengals will find a way to secure a deal with Chase, even if it takes until next spring.