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Ja'Marr Chase Still Not Practicing During Bengals Training Camp

ESPN NFL insider Adam Schefter quoted Cincinnati Bengals beat writer Ben Baby’s tweet at Ja’Marr Chase limiting his participation during team practices. The All-Pro wide receiver didn’t conduct a stretching drill during the fourth day of the Bengals’ training camp.

Since Chase has no known injuries, he's doing this to get a lucrative contract extension from the Bengals. The 2024 season will be the final year under his four-year rookie-scale contract, earning him a $1,055 million base salary. But while the Bengals have exercised his fifth-year option for 2025, he's already eligible for an extension after playing three NFL seasons.

The former LSU standout has undeniably surpassed expectations, making his meager pay a massive bargain for Cincinnati. Last season, Chase had a $940,000 base salary despite tallying a career-high 100 receptions for 1,216 receiving yards and seven touchdowns. During his rookie year, he delivered 1,455 yards and 13 touchdowns off a $660,000 base salary.

Chase's camp believes that the 2024 offseason is the perfect time to get a long-term deal because of the surging wide receiver market. Four of the five richest contracts by NFL wideouts were signed this offseason, led by Justin Jefferson's four-year, $140 million contract. A.J. Brown (three years, $96 million), Amon-Ra St. Brown (four years, $120.01 million), and Jaylen Waddle (three years, $84.75 million) also got the bag leading into the 2024 season.

-Lance Fernandez

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