Ja’Marr Chase Doesn’t Practice Again: Is It Contract Related?

For the second straight day, Ja’Marr Chase did not practice for the Cincinnati Bengals.

While it’s being widely speculated that Chase has sat out practice due to his contract status (he’s in the final year of his rookie deal), coach Zac Taylor would not state the reason why Chase didn’t practice.

Per, Kelsey Conway of the Cincinnati Enquirer, Taylor simply said “he and I are on the same page,” regarding Chase’s participation.

Conway also reported that when asked about why he hasn’t been practicing, Chase simply replied: “No comment.”

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Chase is set to make just $1.055 million in base salary this season.

Taylor was asked specifically whether Chase’s sitting out was contract related, to which he replied:

Ultimately, the status of Chase’s contract sits with Bengals owner and president Mike Brown, who told Ben Raby of ESPN just a few days ago that in-season negotiations were unlikely:

Brown sure is getting a bargain for Chase’s production, as the fourth-year receiver is set to make just $1.055 million in base salary this season. That number will jump to $21.816 million next season for his fifth-year team option.

Still, Chase is eying a long-term deal, and whenever he gets one, it will likely be close to Justin Jefferson’s four-year deal worth $140 million ($110 million guaranteed) that the Vikings receiver signed earlier this offseason.

Chase has been a cornerstone of the Bengals’ recent success since he was drafted fifth overall in the 2021 NFL Draft.

As Joe Burow’s former LSU teammate in college, the two had instant chemistry at the NFL level, and Chase has been a major reason why Cincinnati’s offense has been among the NFL’s best, when Burrow is on the field.

While Joe Burrow missed much of last season with a wrist injury, he’s back and fully healthy heading into the 2024 season.

Having Chase and Burrow back on the field together will help the Bengals tremendously in their quest to win their third second AFC North title in three seasons.

When will Chase be back at practice? His coach doesn’t seem too concerned, as he called Chase, ‘a freak of nature’, indicating it won’t affect his play whatsoever.

The Bengals’ first preseason game is on Saturday, August 10th, when they’ll host the Tampa Bay Buccaneers.

Source: Kelsey Conway, Cincinnati Enquirer

All stats are courtesy of Pro Football Reference, unless noted otherwise. All contract info is courtesy of Spotrac.

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