The Pittsburgh Steelers' AFC North rivals, the Cincinnati Bengals, are navigating an intriguing situation at wide receiver. With standout offensive talents like quarterback Joe Burrow, wide receiver Ja'Marr Chase, and his counterpart Tee Higgins, the Bengals have been a formidable force. However, they've faced challenges in keeping their wide receivers content with their contracts.
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Cincinnati Bengals quarterback Joe Burrow and wide receiver Ja'Marr Chase talk during a regular season road game.
Higgins was optimistic about securing a long-term deal, but the Bengals placed him under the franchise tag instead. After requesting a trade in March, he now seems set to play out his one-year franchise tag. Meanwhile, the Bengals are also focused on Chase, who has been one of the NFL's premier wide receivers since his debut. Although Chase reported to training camp, he has yet to play as he seeks a long-term contract extension.
.@AdamSchefter has found Ja'Marr Chase's contract situation to be a bit mysterious 👀 pic.twitter.com/SbIJrlObpl
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The Bengals are now dealing with a somewhat precarious situation regarding Chase. ESPN NFL insider Adam Schefter has described the situation as mysterious.
"This is the one that to me remains the most mysterious," Schefter said. "Because unlike [49ers receiver] Brandon Aiyuk and [Cowboys receiver] CeeDee Lamb, Ja'Marr Chase has two years left on his contract, [and] not one, like those other players."
Schefter elaborated on why the Bengals' situation is far from straightforward. He suggested that things could become complicated if the Bengals don’t finalize a deal with Chase before the season begins.
"And, we've already heard Bengals President Mike Brown come out and say he would prefer to wait to do this deal. Now, I think Cincinnati will still push to get this deal done. But from my understanding, there hasn’t been a whole lot of progress and if there is not a whole lot of progress, you wonder what’s next?"
Schefter revealed another significant detail that adds to the complexity of the situation. Former Bengals star wide receiver Chad Johnson disclosed that Chase will not play for the Bengals unless a new deal is completed.
AP
Steelers' Ben Roethlisberger (right) talks with Bengals' Chad Johnson (left) after a game.
This implies that Chase might seriously consider missing regular season games if the Bengals do not secure an extension before the season starts.
"But he [Johnson] also added that if the two sides can’t get a deal done, he does not believe that Ja’Marr Chase will step foot on a football field again until he has a new contract," Schefter said. "And I think there are other people around the league who feel the same way about that particular situation that I think has flown a little bit under the radar."
Steelers' AFC North Rival Ja'Marr Chase Not Playing Until New Deal?
The situation with the Bengals is unusual because it’s unfolding much earlier than typical contract disputes. Chase still has two years remaining on his rookie deal, making it unlikely that he would sit out and forfeit substantial earnings. However, if Johnson’s claim is accurate, Chase might consider not playing for the Bengals if a new deal isn’t offered.
The Bengals, with Chase as a key player, would face serious setbacks if he chose not to play. This scenario places the Bengals in a risky position, and Steeler Nation will be closely watching how it unfolds.
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Cincinnati Bengals wide receiver Ja'Marr Chase pulls in a pass.
Chase has accumulated 268 receptions for 3,717 receiving yards and 29 touchdowns, making him a crucial part of the Bengals' offense. It’s probable that the Bengals will do everything they can to keep Chase satisfied, but if they don’t, the situation could become quite interesting.
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