Ja’Marr Chase Claims Bengals Misled Him During Contract Negotiations

During training camp, it became evident that Ja’Marr Chase was dissatisfied with the state of contract negotiations with the Cincinnati Bengals. His frustration seems rooted in a belief that the team misled him regarding the potential for a contract extension.

As reported by ESPN, the three-time Pro Bowler felt deceived because the Bengals approached him about a contract extension multiple times over the offseason but ultimately did not follow through. Chase, who has completed the third year of his rookie deal, did not request an extension; instead, it was the Bengals who initiated the conversation, doing so on two separate occasions. The first discussion came during Chase’s exit interview in January following the 2023 season, with the second occurring in February at the NFL Combine.

On September 6, two days prior to Cincinnati’s season opener, Chase expressed his disappointment over the lack of a completed deal during a media interview. He described the contract discussions as prolonged. “We’ve been doing it for the past six months, seven months, going back and forth. It’s been a long process,” he stated.

Given the Bengals had raised the possibility of a contract extension as early as January, Chase expected that an agreement would be reached before the beginning of the 2024 season. This lingering uncertainty appears to be a significant factor in his feeling of being misled by the organization.

Reportedly, the Bengals presented Chase with an offer that would have made him one of the highest-paid receivers in NFL history, tying him with Justin Jefferson. However, he declined the offer, dissatisfied with how the guaranteed money was structured.

Chase emphasized that September 6 was his deadline for securing a deal and has indicated that he intends to adhere to that timeline. Under current circumstances, he plans to refrain from negotiating a long-term agreement during the season, unless something changes with the team’s approach.

While it is possible for the two sides to finalize a contract during the regular season, historical context suggests this is unlikely. The Bengals have a longstanding policy of not agreeing to contracts during the season, with the only exception being made in 2015 for Andrew Whitworth, who had to personally write a letter to team owner Mike Brown to start negotiations.

Whitworth’s situation involved a year-end extension while he was in the final year of his deal, which differs from Chase’s circumstances. The Bengals receiver remains under contract for 2024 and 2025, so he will not be leaving the team imminently. This season, Chase carries a base salary of $1.06 million, and if he does not sign an extension, he would receive a fifth-year option salary of $21.82 million in 2025.

At one point during the negotiations, tensions escalated to the point where his representatives communicated to the team that he might consider sitting out the first two games of the season. However, after discussions, Chase clarified that he would not miss any games, regardless of the status of his contract negotiations. He opted to sit out training camp but made it clear he was ready for the upcoming season.

The Bengals are set to face the Chiefs at 4:25 p.m. ET on Sunday, a game Chase was always determined to play in. He has historically excelled against Kansas City, posting an impressive average of 106.6 receiving yards per game against them, the highest for any player with at least five appearances against the team.

Following their surprising defeat to the New England Patriots in Week 1, the Bengals are seeking to avoid an 0-2 start. Prior to the game, Chase had remarked on the status of contract talks, adding, “I want to say we’re off a little bit, but it’s in reach… I’d say we’re pretty close. A few numbers need to be switched around and changed other places, but I’ll say we’re pretty close.” It’s evident that while the discussions were close enough to foster optimism, they were ultimately far enough apart to leave him feeling misled.

Even though Chase did not land the contract he desired, he took proactive steps by securing a $50 million insurance policy, which will safeguard him against potential injuries and any resulting loss of income, as reported.