Bengals HC, Ja'Marr Chase 'Had Great Dialogue' amid Contract Rumors as WR Skips OTAs | News, Scores, Highlights, Stats, and Rumors
Every star wide receiver in the league is surely examining their own contract situation after the Minnesota Vikings made Justin Jefferson the highest-paid non-quarterback in NFL history with a four-year, $140 million extension, and Ja'Marr Chase is no different.
As a result, the Cincinnati Bengals playmaker has been absent during the team's voluntary portion of the offseason program as he looks for a new deal.
"I've talked with Ja'Marr," Bengals head coach Zac Taylor told reporters Wednesday when asked if the wide receiver will attend mandatory minicamp. "I won't get into our conversations, but we've had great dialogue."
Jefferson's deal wasn't exactly the greatest news for Cincinnati's front office if it is looking to save money, as Tee Higgins and Chase are both eligible for new contracts this offseason. Higgins' situation is more pressing, as he was franchise-tagged this offseason and has not signed his tender.
Chase is under team control through the 2025 campaign, so there doesn't have to be as much urgency from the team's perspective.
NFL @NFLJa'Marr Chase and Tee Higgins: A QB's best friends. Right <a href="">@joeyb</a>? <a href="">
Still, locking the LSU product down before the wide receiver market potentially changes again with a record-setting deal for someone like CeeDee Lamb may be wise for the Bengals.
Chase is one of the league's best with a resume that includes an Offensive Rookie of the Year, three Pro Bowl selections and three seasons of more than 1,000 yards after just three years in the league.
In a perfect world for the Bengals, they would figure out a way for Chase and Joe Burrow to lead the offense for years to come.
But that will eventually require a new deal for the wide receiver, and it figures to be an expensive one following Jefferson's.
