CeeDee Lamb and Brandon Aiyuk have both wrapped up their holdouts and are back with their teams just in time for Week 1. With those deals squared away, all eyes are now on Ja’Marr Chase and the Bengals.
Chase, the 2021 Offensive Rookie of the Year, has been eligible for a new contract all offseason. With big receiver deals going down, including Justin Jefferson’s jaw-dropping extension with the Vikings that averages $35 million per year and has nearly $89 million guaranteed, the market for top receivers has been reset. Lamb’s recent deal, worth $34 million annually with $67 million guaranteed, has further set the stage for Chase’s negotiations with the Bengals.
Chase’s camp has taken their time with negotiations, waiting to see the outcomes of other big contracts. Now that Lamb and Aiyuk’s deals are done, there’s a clearer picture of where the receiver market stands. Although Chase has two years left on his rookie deal, he’s a top priority for the Bengals. Talks could stretch into the next offseason, but the team is pushing to get something done before Week 1.
Chase has been healthy but didn’t participate much in training camp after missing voluntary OTAs and attending only mandatory minicamp. Bengals head coach Zac Taylor expects Chase to be ready for Week 1, but the situation seems to be changing daily. The Bengals are making a push to finalize an extension before the season kicks off, though a last-minute deal isn’t guaranteed. If they don’t reach an agreement soon, discussions might be postponed until next spring.
With three 1,000-yard seasons under his belt, even with a five-game absence in 2022, Chase is poised to become one of the highest-paid receivers in the league. Some think the Bengals might need to make him the highest-paid receiver ever, which would be a notable shift for a team known for being budget-conscious. The Bengals broke their usual pattern with Joe Burrow’s contract, so it’s likely they’ll do the same for Chase, whether or not his deal tops the charts in annual value.
The Bengals’ regular season is set to start this Sunday, and how Chase’s contract situation unfolds could affect his practice schedule. With Lamb and Aiyuk’s deals done, there’s no longer any waiting on similar situations to resolve. It’s all eyes on Cincinnati to see if they can lock in Chase before the season opener.
