In a shocking turn of events, Ja’Marr Chase of the Cincinnati Bengals is not a happy camper. The star receiver is now refusing to negotiate a long-term deal with the Bengals for the duration of the 2024 season, as reported by none other than Adam Schefter of ESPN.com.
According to the report, Chase feels like he was misled by the Bengals when it came to their intentions of offering him a long-term contract. This is certainly not the news fans of the Bengals wanted to hear, as Chase is a crucial part of their offense.
As we all know, Chase showed up for training camp to secure his $3.8 million training-camp roster bonus. This bonus was designed to ensure that first-round players receive the bulk of their fourth-year money early on, thus deterring any potential holdouts from the player who has performed beyond expectations.
There was a moment when Chase seriously considered sitting out of last Sunday’s game against the Patriots. However, after warming up before the game, he made the decision to take the field. Now, he is steadfast in his decision to see out the season without a new contract in place.
While this situation may seem less than ideal for the Bengals, the reality is that they may have actually achieved what they wanted all along. By not renegotiating a new deal with Chase, they are able to retain his services for the 2024 season at a relatively low cost of $4.8 million. If a new contract had been inked, Chase would have likely earned substantially more this year.
Despite having his rights secured through 2025, with the franchise tag as an option beyond that, the Bengals are now faced with the challenge of dealing with a disgruntled star player. They will have to rely on Chase’s dedication to his teammates and his personal pride in his performance to ensure that he continues to give his best effort on the field for the remainder of the season, even when he may not be at 100%.
It is a risky situation for the Bengals, but one they are willing to navigate given the relatively low cost of keeping Chase on the roster for the year. Time will tell how this situation ultimately unfolds, but for now, the Bengals will have to make do with what they have and hope for the best.
