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.
For a fourth straight day, no practice for Bengals WR Ja'Marr Chase. https://t.co/KvwON92DGr
— Adam Schefter (@AdamSchefter) July 28, 2024
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