While wide receiver Ja’Marr Chase is still under contract, he hasn’t participated in training camp despite his presence. He’s holding in, hoping to get a lucrative contract extension after proving himself to be one of the league’s best wideouts.
However, the negotiations for his next deal have stalled, even though the 2024 NFL season starts in a few days. According to the NFL Network, Chase has clarified his demands and wants higher pay than Justin Jefferson. By how much? One penny.
Therefore, if Jefferson signed a four-year, $140 million contract extension with the Minnesota Vikings, Chase wants $140,000,000,01, making him the highest-paid wideout in the National Football League.
BREAKING: #Bengals star WR Ja'Marr Chase wants to be PAID ONE PENNY MORE than Justin Jefferson got on his record-breaking extension, NFL Network reports.
— MLFootball (@_MLFootball) September 1, 2024
ONE PENNY… pic.twitter.com/gcADzZVD9H
The former LSU standout has the credentials to argue for a lucrative wage. He established a rookie record for receiving yards (1,455) in 2021 and never went below 1,046 yards since he entered the league. His impressive numbers correspond to three Pro Bowls and a Second-Team All-Pro selection.
Likewise, his becoming the Bengals' undisputed leader in the passing game makes him deserving of a salary much higher than his $1.055 million base salary this year. While he will receive a $21.8 million base salary next season as part of Cincinnati's fifth-year option, it's still below the annual average he can command with a contract extension.
However, even if both parties haven't agreed to terms on a new contract, ESPN's Jeremy Fowler reported that the Bengals and Chase's camp are expediting talks to close the deal.
Likewise, Chase will reportedly play for the Bengals in their 2024 season opener against the New England Patriots. That game will signify quarterback Joe Burrow's return from his season-ending wrist injury last year.
-Lance Fernandez