Bengals wide receiver Ja’Marr Chase is aiming to secure a new contract with the team before the regular season begins.
According to ESPN’s Jeremy Fowler, negotiations for an extension have “intensified” recently.
“The Bengals have ramped up their efforts to finalize the deal in the past few days,” Fowler mentioned on SportsCenter. “People I’ve spoken with inside the organization are somewhat optimistic and hopeful.”
My sense is the #Bengals have intensified efforts in recent days to place Ja’Marr Chase among the NFL’s highest-paid receivers on an extension. Can they beat the clock?
(@SportsCenter with @garystriewski) pic.twitter.com/lMBG56wAdk
— Jeremy Fowler (@JFowlerESPN) August 31, 2024
Chase has recorded 268 receptions for 3,717 yards and 29 touchdowns over three seasons. He’s made three consecutive Pro Bowls, was named Offensive Rookie of the Year in 2021, and played a key role in helping Cincinnati reach back-to-back AFC Championship Games in 2021 and 2022.
The Bengals exercised Chase’s fifth-year option this offseason, giving him two years left on his current deal, which has influenced contract discussions, according to Fowler.
“It’s a challenging deal to finalize because he still has two years remaining on his contract,” Fowler explained. “The Bengals are aware of this, so they have certain limits on the amount of guaranteed money they’re willing to offer him.”
You can watch Fowler’s full comments below. For more details on what Chase’s extension might entail, click here.
