Ja’Marr Chase has been pursuing a new contract with the Cincinnati Bengals, but the two sides failed to reach an agreement before the start of the regular season. Now, reports suggest that Chase has no intention of negotiating his contract during the season, and he reportedly feels that the Bengals misled him throughout the process.
According to a report from ESPN’s Adam Schefter, contract talks between Chase and the Bengals have stalled completely. It’s not uncommon for players to set a deadline for contract negotiations, often aiming to secure a new deal before the season kicks off to avoid distractions. The Bengals, however, did not meet that timeline, leaving Chase without the deal he was seeking.
What makes the situation more tense is the feeling of betrayal Chase reportedly harbors. Schefter’s report indicates that Chase was told on multiple occasions—first at the end of the previous season and again during the NFL scouting combine—that a new contract would be finalized. Despite these reassurances, no deal materialized, leaving the star receiver feeling misled by the organization.
While the report paints the Bengals in a negative light, it’s worth considering that Chase’s demands may also be part of the holdup. The star wide receiver is seeking a contract that would exceed the massive extension Justin Jefferson recently signed with the Minnesota Vikings. Jefferson, who was Chase’s teammate at LSU, secured a deal that averages $35 million annually, setting a high bar for the market.
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According to Schefter, the issue in negotiations between Chase and the Bengals isn’t just about the total value of the contract, but also about the structure and timing of the payout. This suggests that the two sides may be struggling to agree on how and when the money would be distributed, which is a critical factor in long-term deals.
Chase, who is now in the fourth year of his rookie contract, remains one of the league’s most dynamic receivers. The Bengals have already exercised their fifth-year option on him, which guarantees him $21.8 million for the 2025 season.
However, without a long-term deal in place, Chase’s future with the Bengals remains uncertain, and the unresolved contract situation could cast a shadow over the remainder of the season.
As tensions simmer between the two parties, the Bengals are left with a star player who feels deceived, while Chase must wait to see if the organization will meet his expectations for a deal that reflects his value on the field.
