Is Bengals WR Ja’Marr Chase’s contract dispute on the verge of going nuclear?

"I in all probability put my foot in my mouth talking too rapidly," Taylor stated after apply.

Oops. 

And in addition — yikes.

We have spent the summer time speaking about San Francisco 49ers receiver Brandon Aiyuk, partly as a result of he is such a key cog within the Brock Purdy-led offense. Aiyuk additionally made headlines when he demanded a commerce. (That commerce demand led to a dramatic saga of will-he, received't-he. Although the 49ers and Steelers have — or had? — a deal in place, Aiyuk stays in San Francisco.) It was fairly easy: Aiyuk was extra attention-grabbing than Chase, even when he is not the higher participant.

However perhaps now that actual soccer is on the horizon, it is time to shift our focus to a scenario that may simply be spiraling uncontrolled.

Chase is as necessary to Joe Burrow's comeback efforts as anybody. (Burrow is getting back from a season-ending wrist harm in 2023.) And meaning Chase is as necessary to the Bengals' Tremendous Bowl ambitions as anybody not named Burrrow.

"[Chase] is a key participant," proprietor Mike Brown informed reporters earlier than coaching camp. "Subsequent to Joe [Burrow], he's the following one. He is aware of it. We all know it. This will take some time. We're going to bend over backwards to get it finished."

Appears such as you're not bending far sufficient, Mr. Brown.

The excellent news is that the CeeDee Lamb deal might assist grease the gears of negotiations. It appeared just like the Justin Jefferson deal was truly log-jamming the market. Gamers needed what Jefferson was getting, however he was in a singular place of energy with the Minnesota Vikings, who now have one of many worst quarterback conditions within the NFL. They wanted to pay Jefferson to remain joyful. The Cowboys, 49ers and Bengals do not have that very same drawback.

Chase will doubtless wish to reset the market and make greater than Jefferson. However he can take solace in the truth that not even Lamb did that — not even after the Cowboys star completed second in receiving yards (1,749) and receiving touchdowns (12). That is a stage of manufacturing Chase hasn't hit, together with his career-best season coming in 2021 when he had 1,455 yards and 13 touchdowns.

So it is doable Chase and the Bengals can take a look at Lamb's deal as a framework: 4 years, $136 million whole, $110 assured.

However maybe we have underestimated how far Chase can take this. Maybe we have overlooked how necessary he's to the playoff image. And maybe that is why Chase's dispute hasn't come to a decision. 

The Bengals can afford to pay Chase. They can not afford to subject a staff with out him. The scenario is not that sophisticated.

Previous to becoming a member of FOX Sports activities, Henry McKenna spent seven years overlaying the Patriots for USA TODAY Sports activities Media Group and Boston Globe Media. Observe him on Twitter at @henrycmckenna.

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