If one thing is certain in life it’s that NFL players are competitive.
And that apparently extends to contracts for Ja’Marr Chase.
The Bengals wide receiver is looking for a new contract that would surpass his former LSU teammate and current Vikings star, Justin Jefferson, by one cent, according to a report by NFL Network’s Ian Rapoport.
Jefferson, 25, signed a four-year, $140 million contract in June with the Vikings and now Chase wants the throne as the highest-paid receiver in the NFL.
“My understanding is that the two sides are still discussing a long-term extension, that, if he got it, would make him either: Tied for the highest-paid receiver with Justin Jefferson, or beating Justin Jefferson by one cent, which I believe is the goal by Ja’Marr Chase,” Rapoport said on NFL Network on Tuesday.
Chase has been a hold-in since training camp opened, as he’s seeking a new deal despite still having two years remaining on his current contract, which has the 24-year-old slated to earn $1.055 million in base salary this year and a fifth-year option that would pay $21.82 million.
However, Chase wants to see his pay increase come sooner rather than later and has not practiced for the majority of camp and the preseason amid the quest for the new deal.
He had returned to the practice field earlier this week before head coach Zac Taylor indicated he was confident that Chase would play Week 1 against the Patriots.
That seemed to further inflame the situation and prompted the receiver to not take part in practice on Wednesday or Thursday.
Taylor said Thursday before practice that he “wasn’t going to make any predictions” whether Chase would play or not in the season opener.
The Bengals head coach didn’t appear to be concerned that any of the time that Chase missed would impact his readiness if or when he does get back on the field.
“He’s been in every meeting,” Taylor told reporters. “So, he knows everything. He’s been in the system for the three years he played in it, a fourth year now. So, again, he knows everything.”
Chase was selected to the Pro Bowl in his first three seasons in the NFL, as he has 268 receptions for 3,717 yards and 29 touchdowns in 45 games.
The Bengals open their season at home on Sept. 8 against the Pats, who just announced on Thursday that Jacoby Brissett would be their Week 1 starter.