Ja’Marr Chase Source: AP Days after the Dallas Cowboys made wide receiver Ciddy Lamb one of the highest-paid receivers in the NFL, Jamar Chase did one of the funniest things ever.
Chase and the Cincinnati Bengals are hot and fierce in contract talks. He has been “on hold” at practice and has been with the team but only intermittently. Reports say Chase is seeking a similar deal to LSU teammate Justin Jefferson, who received a four-year deal worth up to $140 million from the Minnesota Vikings.
On Tuesday, Bengals coach Zac Taylor said he expects Chase to be an active participant in practice as the team prepares for its Week 1 game against the New England Patriots.
But Chase, who was late to practice, came to practice wearing sunglasses and, as you might expect, did not practice.
If the deal doesn’t go through, Chase’s four-second video may forever be part of Bengals legend.
Taylor walked back his comments during a press conference Wednesday, saying he may have been premature in commenting on Chase’s contract situation and declined to say whether he expected Chase to play in Week 1.
“I think I may have made a mistake by speaking too quickly,” Taylor said. “This is a routine situation. We will continue to see it that way.”
Oh. Looks like Chase stepped in. And Taylor is covering her mouth with her foot.
Chase deserves his money, no question about it. He’s one of the best receivers in the NFL, with 3,717 receiving yards and 29 touchdowns in just three seasons.
The fifth overall pick in the 2021 NFL Draft still has two years left on his contract, so something has to work out eventually. Not to mention there will be a franchise tag on him after his fifth-year option next year, and they showed they aren’t afraid to use it by tagging Tee Higgins this offseason.
It’s easier to give Chase what he deserves, but we know how Mike Brown runs these Bengals. It’s not a guarantee.
So while the Bengals could technically take a completely hard-line stance and not re-sign Chase for four more seasons, the 24-year-old receiver has already made his position clear.
It’s hard to see Chase giving in here. These Gen Z NFL players are built differently. They have pettiness running through their veins. Needless to say, Chase has seen this saga unfold with his teammate Higgins, who has yet to resolve his contract situation.
Chase has to keep showing up late and doing his job until payday. It could make for a great comedy.
