Bengals owner Mike Brown makes stance clear on Ja'Marr Chase's contract extension ahead of 2024 training camp
In April, the Cincinnati Bengals exercised a team option to extend wide receiver Ja'Marr Chase through 2025. He is the next big wide receiver awaiting a massive contract extension. Bengals owner Mike Brown has assured fans that the team will "try hard" to retain Chase.
Speaking to reporters on Monday ahead of Bengals training camp, Brown discussed Chase's extension. He said the team intends to keep the three-time Pro Bowl WR long-term in Cincinnati. Brown added that while he can't set a timeline on when the contract extension will be finalized, "the reel has been cast" to extend Chase. [From 6:05 mark onwards]
"He's a key player next to Joe [Burrow], Brown said. "He's next one and he knows that we know it. This may take a while. We are going to bend over backwards to get it done. I can't tell you when no."
The Cincinnati Bengals have earned the reputation of being cheap and they have been working meticulously to change that narrative. They did not hesitate to make Joe Burrow the highest-paid quarterback in the NFL by giving him a mammoth five-year $275 million extension last year. The team also roped in some costly free agents.
The real test for the Cincinnati Bengals lies with Ja'Marr Chase's contract extension. While Mike Brown has reaffirmed the team's desire to extend the star receiver, it will be interesting to see how things play out with the two parties.
Projecting Ja'Marr Chase's contract extension with the Cincinnati Bengals
Ja'Marr Chase has been one of the best wide receivers in the NFL, since entering the league in 2021. The Cincinnati Bengals wide receiver has recorded 3,717 receiving yards and 29 touchdowns in 268 catches, averaging 13.9 yards per catch.
Chase is eligible for an extension entering the final year of his four-year $30.8 million rookie deal. By picking up his player option, the Bengals will pay the three-time Pro Bowler $21.8 million for next season, which is well below the market value.
The wide receiver market has been reset this offseason by Ja'Marr Chase's close friend Justin Jefferson. The Minnesota Vikings extended the wide receiver to a four-year, $140 million contract, making him the highest-paid non-QB in the league.
A projected contract extension for Ja'Marr Chase will range between $33 and $36 million in annual average value. While the Bengals WR cannot match Jefferson's $40 million AAV, he definitely has a benchmark to match.
A potential deal would be a total contract value of $144 million, extending Chase from 2025 through 2029. With the league salary cap continuing to skyrocket, a $36 million AAV deal would not be a problem for the Bengals.
Chase could also become the next wide receiver to hit the $100 million guaranteed bracket after Jefferson, with Dallas Cowboys wide receiver CeeDee Lamb's extension still up in the air.