Just days after the Dallas Cowboys made wide receiver CeeDee Lamb one of the highest-paid receivers in the NFL, Ja’Marr Chase pulled off one of the funniest stunts of all time.
Chase and the Cincinnati Bengals are in heated contract negotiations. He is a “non-participant” in practice, meaning he has been with the team but only practiced intermittently. Reports are that Chase is seeking a similar contract to that of his LSU teammate Justin Jefferson, who received a four-year, $140 million contract from the Minnesota Vikings.
Bengals coach Zac Taylor said Tuesday he expects Chase to be a full participant in upcoming practices as the team prepares for its Week 1 game against the New England Patriots.
However, Chase showed up late to practice and, as expected, did not practice.
If the deal doesn’t go through for some reason, Chase’s swagger in that four-second video may live on in Bengals lore forever.
Taylor walked back his comments during a press conference on Wednesday, acknowledging he may have spoken too early about Chase’s contract situation and declining to say whether he expected Chase to play in Week 1.
“I may have spoken too fast and made a mistake.” Taylor said“It’s a day-to-day situation. We’ll just continue to look at it that way.”
Oops, looks like Chase has taken a firm stance, and Taylor is voicing her opinion as well.
Chase deserves to be paid, there’s no question about it. He’s one of the best receivers in the NFL, with 3,717 yards receiving and 29 touchdowns in just three seasons.
As the No. 5 overall pick in the 2021 NFL Draft, something will eventually need to be worked out as he still has two years left on his contract. Needless to say, the team has the right to use the franchise tag on him after his fifth-year option expires next year, and the team showed they aren’t afraid to use it by placing the tag on Tee Higgins this offseason.
It would be easier to give Chase what he deserves, but knowing how Mike Brown handles the Bengals, there are never any guarantees.
So while the Bengals could technically play it safe completely and not extend Chase’s contract for another four seasons, the 24-year-old receiver has already played it safe.
It’s hard to imagine Chase giving in here. These Gen Z NFL players are built differently. They’re built with meanness. Not to mention, Chase just witnessed this whole thing unfold with teammate Higgins, who is still dealing with his own contract issues.
Chase keeps coming in late until payday and he has to do what he wants, and that could make for a great comedy.
