Ja’Marr Chase contract update: Bengals step up efforts to sign star WR to record-breaking deal, report says

The wide receiver market has exploded this offseason, especially last week. Dallas Cowboys wide receiver CeeDee Lamb became the second-highest paid receiver with a four-year, $136 million deal that includes $100 million guaranteed. Just days later, San Francisco 49ers wideout Brandon Aiyuk agreed to a four-year, $120 million extension. Is Ja’Marr Chase next?

According to a new report from ESPN, the Cincinnati Bengals have stepped up their efforts in recent days to work out a deal with Chase and get him back on the practice field, as he has been “sustained” due to his game. Jeremy Fowler said the deal would be “worth somewhere in the region of $30 million per year on average.”

Chase’s college teammate Justin Jefferson reentered the market this offseason with a four-year, $140 million extension. NFL Media recently reported that Chase Attempts to beat Jefferson’s deal — even if it’s less than a cent. Fowler reports that nothing is imminent at this point, but those in the Bengals organization are hopeful.

Cincinnati controls Chase’s rights for the next two years, but everyone will agree he’s worth far more than the $4.86 million he’ll earn in 2024. Chase has been one of the best wide receivers in the NFL since playing his first snaps as the No. 5 overall pick out of LSU. He set a rookie record at the time by recording 1,455 receiving yards and 13 touchdowns in 2021 and has surpassed 1,000 receiving yards in all three of his NFL seasons. Last year, Chase caught a career-high 100 passes, even with starting quarterback Joe Burrow missing seven games due to injury.