The Cincinnati Bengals have officially completed the 2024 preseason and are now preparing for their opening game against the New England Patriots.
The biggest story surrounding the Bengals is the contract situation of star wide receiver Ja’Marr Chase.
Chase did not participate in training camp or preseason camps, but was present throughout the entire period and even traveled with the team to Chicago.
On Sunday, Chase returned to training, seemingly ending his contract suspension.
So does this mean a deal is imminent?
As of this writing, Chase still has two full years left on his rookie contract with the Bengals, but he has made it clear that he is willing to stay in Cincinnati long-term.
According to Ari Meirov of the 33rd Team, Chase and his camp are hoping to see what kind of deals CeeDee Lamb and Brandon Aiyuk get.
“They’re still talking about an extension. It’s still in progress,” Meirov explained. “Ja’Marr’s side is hoping they can get a long-term deal done, and frankly, the way they see it is that if CeeDee or Aiyuk get signed, and they’re in the neighborhood of Justin Jefferson, they’re pretty confident the Bengals’ hands are going to be tied.”
Jefferson signed the most expensive contract ever for a wide receiver this offseason, and Chase is apparently trying to get a similar deal done.
And who would have thought: Lamb and the Dallas Cowboys just agreed to a deal that could speed things up with Chase and the Bengals.
The #Cowboys and All-Pro WR CeeDee Lamb agreed to a four-year extension worth $136 million with $100 million guaranteed, including a WR-record bonus of $38 million, sources tell me, and @RapSheet.
The deal, negotiated by Tory Dandy of the CAA, makes Lamb the second-highest-paid non-QB in NFL history. pic.twitter.com/80cZAlD6m9
— Tom Pelissero (@TomPelissero) 26 August 2024
Meirov added that there is “positive momentum” between Chase and the Bengals regarding a deal, but that there is a very real chance that both sides could push a new contract into the 2025 offseason.
Former NFL agent Joel Corry explained the next steps for both sides of the negotiations and how much money Chase could have lost if he sat out regular season games. According to Corry, Chase could lose $1,814,702 if he sits out against the Patriots and the Bengals use all of their penalty rights under the CBA.
Thankfully, that’s no longer possible as Chase is back in training. Let’s hope the two sides can come to an agreement.
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