Ja’Marr Chase’s hold-in with the Bengals has raised some curiosity around the league.
The Bengals star receiver reported to training camp but hasn’t played, as he’s seeking a long-term contract extension.
“This is the one that to me remains the most mysterious,” ESPN NFL insider Adam Schefter said Monday. “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.”
“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 also mentioned that former Bengals wideout Chad “Ochocinco” Johnson said over the weekend that he feels the two sides will reach a deal this week.
“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.”
Chase, 24, has two years remaining on his rookie contract, including the team’s fifth-year option.
The three-time Pro Bowl selection reported to practice Monday after missing practice last Tuesday — with head coach Zac Taylor declining to say if the absence was excused or unexcused.
“Ja’Marr [is] day-to-day,” Taylor said at the time. “We’ll take it one day a time.”
It’s unclear if Chase will miss Cincinnati’s preseason finale when the Bengals take on the the Colts Thursday.
The Bengals open the season at home against the Patriots in on Sept. 8.
Aiyuk’s hold-in with the 49ers came after he requested a trade when talks of a contract extension stalled last month.
He reportedly turned down a $30 million-per-year offer from the Patriots and is under contract with San Francisco for the 2024 season at $14.124 million.
The Steelers were also a suitor, but offered Aiyuk less than $28 million, which sent him back to negotiations with the 49ers, Sports Illustrated’s Albert Breer reported Monday.
Lamb did not report to Cowboys training camp last month and is holding out as he seeks a contract extension.
The All-Pro wideout is entering the final year of his rookie contract on a $17.9 million fifth-year option.