The Cincinnati Bengals are facing uncertainty with star receiver Ja’Marr Chase as he continues to sit out of practice in hopes of securing a lucrative long-term contract extension. With the season opener against the New England Patriots looming, Bengals coach Zac Taylor is left scratching his head, unsure of whether Chase will be available.
“We’ll just take it day to day,” Taylor admitted during a press briefing, as reported by Emily Sanderson of WLWT. The coach’s uncertainty reflects the ongoing saga surrounding Chase’s contract negotiations and his current absence from practice.
Chase’s presence on the field for Week 1 remains in doubt, with the receiver showing up to practice in street clothes and watching from the sidelines. The bigger question now is not just if Chase will play, but how much playing time he will see if he does take the field.
Taylor, when pressed for details, could only offer vague reassurances about Chase’s fitness. “It’s impossible for me to say with 100 percent conviction, but I feel good about the shape that he’s in,” Taylor stated, hinting at a potential return despite the ongoing contract standoff.
Chase is reportedly seeking to become the highest-paid non-quarterback in the league, a title currently held by the Minnesota Vikings’ Justin Jefferson. Jefferson recently inked a massive four-year, $140 million extension with $100 million guaranteed, setting a high bar for Chase’s contract aspirations.
Despite being slated to make a relatively modest $1.055 million in base salary for the upcoming season, the Bengals have already exercised the $21.816 million fifth-year option on Chase’s contract for the following year. However, negotiations have stalled, leading to his extended absence from practice.
The situation took a brief positive turn when Chase returned to the practice field in late August for limited workouts, following the Bengals’ third preseason game. This development initially gave Taylor hope that Chase would be ready for the season opener. Unfortunately, Chase has not participated in any practices since then, leaving his status uncertain.
With 268 catches for 3,717 yards and 29 touchdowns in his first three seasons, Chase’s absence is keenly felt by the Bengals as they prepare for a crucial Week 1 matchup. As the uncertainty lingers, both the team and fans are left eagerly awaiting a resolution to the contract impasse that could determine Chase’s availability and future with the Cincinnati Bengals.
