This story was originally published by Dead Spin
Just a few days after the Dallas Cowboys made wide receiver CeeDee Lamb one of the highest-paid receivers in the NFL, Ja’Marr Chase pulled the funniest stunt ever.
Chase and the Cincinnati Bengals are hot and heavy in contract negotiations. He’s been a “hold-in” at practice and has been around the team, but has only practiced intermittently. According to reports, Chase is seeking a similar deal to LSU teammate Justin Jefferson, who received a four-year deal worth up to $140 million from the Minnesota Vikings.
On Tuesday, Bengals coach Zac Taylor said that he expects Chase to be a full participant in practice moving forward as the team gets ready for their Week 1 matchup with the New England Patriots.
But Chase rolled into practice late, shades on, and, you guessed it, did not practice.
Chase’s strut in that four-second video could live on in Bengals lore forever if this deal somehow does not get done.
Taylor backtracked his statements in Wednesday’s press conference with the media, admitting that he might have spoken too soon about Chase’s contract situation and refusing to state whether he anticipated Chase to play Week 1.
“I think I probably put my foot in my mouth speaking too quickly,” Taylor said. “This is a day-to-day situation. We’ll just keep seeing it as that.”
Whoops. Sounds like Chase must have put his foot down. And Taylor is putting his own into his mouth.
Chase deserves to be paid. There’s no question about that. He’s one of the top receivers in the NFL, racking up 3,717 receiving yards and 29 touchdowns in just three seasons.
The No. 5 overall pick in the 2021 NFL Draft still technically has two years left on his contract, so something has to get figured out eventually. Not to mention, they’ll have the franchise tag to use on him after next year’s fifth-year option, and they showed they’re not afraid to use it by tagging Tee Higgins this offseason.
It’s just easier to give Chase the money that he deserves. But we know how Mike Brown runs these Bengals. It’s never a guarantee.
So, even though the Bengals could technically play complete hardball and not extend Chase for four more seasons, the 24 year-old receiver is already putting his foot down.
It’s hard to see Chase giving in here. These Gen Z NFL athletes are built differently. They’ve got pettiness in their veins. Not to mention, Chase just saw this saga play out with his teammate, Higgins, who still does not have his own contract situation resolved.
Chase needs to keep showing up late and doing his own thing until that payday arrives. It could be great comedy.
