If the Cincinnati Bengals wish to get an extension finished with Ja’Marr Chase earlier than the beginning of the season, it appears like they are going to have to put in writing a fairly hefty test to make it occur.
Chase, in line with NFL Media, needs a brand new deal that can make him the highest-paid receiver in NFL historical past. That title presently belongs to Justin Jefferson, who received a brand new four-year, $140 million extension in June. Chase is not seeking to blow that deal away. As an alternative, he merely needs to beat it by ONE PENNY.
“My understanding is that the 2 sides are nonetheless discussing a long-term extension, that, if he received it, would make him both: Tied for the highest-paid receiver with Justin Jefferson, or beating Justin Jefferson by one cent, which I consider is the aim by Ja’Marr Chase,” Ian Rapoport stated this week.
That is proper, Chase needs to beat Jefferson’s deal by a single cent, so it seems that a four-year extension value $140,000,000.01 will get the job finished. Chase and Jefferson had been former teammates at LSU, so it isn’t an enormous shock that the Bengals receiver needs to prime his buddy.
Though it is a hefty worth to pay, it might make some sense for the Bengals to get a deal finished now. Chase nonetheless has two years left on his rookie deal, not like Jefferson, who solely had one season left when he signed his extension.
For the Bengals, the benefit of doing a deal now could be that they might be capable to unfold out Chase’s cap hits over six seasons. Chase is ready to make simply $1.055 million in base wage this yr adopted by a fifth-year possibility in 2025 that will pay him $21.82 million. If the Bengals matched Jefferson’s deal (or gave him one cent extra), they’d have Chase beneath contract for the subsequent six years for a complete of $162.88 million or $27.15 million per yr, which sounds rather more crew pleasant than $40 million per yr.
The drama between Chase and the Bengals has gone on all offseason. The receiver sat out each observe of coaching camp earlier than returning to the sector this week. After Chase labored out with the crew at the start of the week, that prompted coach Zac Taylor to declare that the receiver would positively be taking part in in Week 1 in opposition to the Patriots.
Apparently, Chase did not like that assertion, as a result of after Taylor made the remark, the receiver refused to take the sector for Cincinnati’s observe on Wednesday. After that session, Taylor did not appear so positive whether or not Chase could be taking part in within the opener. “I in all probability put my foot in my mouth talking too rapidly,” Taylor stated on Wednesday, referring to his feedback from Monday.
It is a tough scenario for the Bengals as a result of it is unprecedented in NFL historical past. It is nearly extraordinary for a participant with two years left on his rookie deal to sit down out in a contract dispute, particularly a non-quarterback. It is also uncommon for a non-quarterback to get a brand new cope with two years left, but it surely has occurred. Jaylen Waddle and DeVonta Smith — who had been each in Chase’s draft class — each received a brand new deal this offseason and that could be why Chase additionally seems like he deserves one now. That being stated, Waddle and Smith each received their offers finished amicably they usually did not miss any observe time (Smith received his new deal in April whereas Waddle received his extension in Might).
Waddle and Smith each signed three-year extensions in order that they’re now beneath contract for 5 extra years. It is unclear if Chase is seeking to get a three-year deal at $40 million per yr (plus a penny) or a four-year deal at $40 million per yr (plus a penny).
From a contract standpoint, Chase does not actually have any leverage. If a participant is wholesome and does not observe, they are often fined by the crew. Nevertheless, it is unlikely the Bengals would go that route. Taylor has tried to function a peacemaker on this scenario. Additionally, Chase is aware of how necessary he’s to the Bengals, because of feedback that proprietor Mike Brown made earlier than coaching camp.
“He is a key participant subsequent to Joe [Burrow],” Brown stated in late July. “He is our subsequent one. He is aware of that. We all know it. This may occasionally take some time. We’re going to bend over backwards to get it finished. I am unable to inform you when.”
Though Brown stated the crew would bend over backwards to get a deal finished, he additionally stated a brand new contract seemingly would not occur earlier than the beginning of the season, which is why the Bengals are of their present conundrum.
“It is not so seemingly that that is the great time to barter,” Brown stated. “The offseason is a greater time for that and we’ll attempt to preserve targeted on the soccer half. I am not going to rule something out, however I’ll inform you that the die has in all probability been forged.”
With simply 10 days to go till the Bengals opener in opposition to the Patriots, the clock is ticking on the 2 sides to get a deal finished. If they do not get a deal finished, will probably be attention-grabbing to see if Chase is keen to sit down out any video games in an effort to his new extension.