Cincinnati Bengals star wide receiver Ja’marr Chase entered the offseason looking to get a massive extension from the team. But much like his counterpart Tee Higgins, the likelihood of that happening this summer is unlikely.
Read more: Bengals Star WR Expected To Enter Free Agency Next Offseason
Bengals owner Mike Brown spoke about the reality of Chase getting his extension this offseason and seemed to push away the thought.
“It’s not so likely that this is the good time to negotiate,” Brown said, via Ben Baby of ESPN. “The offseason is a better time for that and we’re going to try to keep focused on the football part. I’m not going to rule anything out, but I will tell you that the die has probably been cast.”
Photo by Jeff Dean/Getty Images
Chase didn’t attend the voluntary portion of the team’s offseason program but was present during the mandatory minicamp. He had previously been waiting to see what star wide receiver Justin Jefferson got on the open market before coming to the table with the Bengals.
Jefferson agreed to a four-year deal that is worth $140 million with the Minnesota Vikings. Chase likely plans on topping that but will have to wait for it to happen.
While the two sides are unlikely to agree to a deal this offseason, Brown didn’t mince words when it came to the overall idea of the team extending the star wide-out. Chase is in the long-term plans of the Bengals.
“We are going to bend over backwards to make it happen,” Brown said, via Olivia Ray of WLWT. “I can’t tell you when it’s going to get done.”
Chase has proven his worth to the Bengals since being drafted No. 5 overall in the 2021 NFL Draft. As a rookie, he helped lead the team to the Super Bowl, putting up 81 catches for 1,455 yards and 13 touchdowns.
Last season, Chase posted his first career 100-catch season to go along with 1,216 yards and seven touchdowns. Chase is the motor for the Cincinnati offense, having established great chemistry with quarterback Joe Burrow from their time together at LSU.
He has shown himself to be one of the best wide receivers across the NFL so the Bengals will reward him when the time comes. Cincinnati has historically taken care of its star players and it seems that they have prioritized Chase over Higgins when debating which star receiver to pay.
Read more: Bengals’ Joe Burrow Cleared For Contact, Preseason Plans Revealed
Uncommon Knowledge
Newsweek is committed to challenging conventional wisdom and finding connections in the search for common ground.
Newsweek is committed to challenging conventional wisdom and finding connections in the search for common ground.