The Cincinnati Bengals and Ja’Marr Chase aren’t talking a contract extension during the season after the recent, awkward standoff between the two sides.
That impasse that bled into the regular season ended with Chase apparently feeling like the Bengals misled him in talks.
And now insiders such as ESPN’s Jeremy Fowler have gone back and forth on how things might play out between the Bengals and Chase next offseason:
The belief leaguewide is, yes, the Bengals did get close to extending Chase’s contract leading up to Week 1, but while the per-year annual average on that contract offer was sufficient, the structure of the deal (guarantees) was not what he wanted. Now Chase is well-positioned to clear Jefferson’s four-year, $140 million bar and then some. Will the Bengals oblige? It seems like a no-brainer, but that’s still a hefty price tag for a team considered fiscally responsible. The feeling here is Cincinnati lets Tee Higgins walk in free agency and allocates resources for Chase, a 2026 free agent. If not, expect Chase to stay far away from the team for a while.
Here’s the problem for the Bengals: Chase’s price was always going to go up next offseason due to the nature of the market. They knew that. But it doesn’t help that he’s flirting with a Triple Crown and his agent is openly celebrating how easy he’s making the job for his reps.
So yes, things could get messy between the Bengals and Chase after the season. The team could technically stand firm in how it wants to structure the contract, citing the fifth year of Chase’s rookie deal, then a franchise tag, and perhaps even another after that.
But…Chase could use his leverage too. It’s uncomfortable, but a conversation that is understandably making the rounds right now.
