Update On Ja'Marr Chase's Status With Bengals

Cincinnati Bengals wide receiver Ja'Marr Chase was spotted "in street clothes again" but "showed up early" while the team participated in stretches during practice on Monday (September 2), six days before the Bengals' Week 1 matchup against the New England Patriots, the Athletic 's Paul Dehner Jr. reports.

Chase, 24, currently has two years remaining on his rookie contract, but held out during training camp with the goal of getting a new deal.

"Ja’Marr Chase in street clothes again today but showed up early instead of the late walk in as #Bengals go through stretches. I guess we could say his practice presence has 'intensified,' Dehner wrote on his X account.

Cincinnati Enquirer beat reporter Kelsey Conway shared a photo of Chase "out at practice but not practicing" on Monday.

Chase participated in some practices, but sat out others, during training camp as he aims to become one of the league's highest-paid receivers after several others, including former LSU teammate Justin Jefferson of the Minnesota Vikings , signing massive new deals this offseason, NFL Network 's Ian Rapoport reported on Monday.

"The two sides are in talks for a deal that would make him among the highest-paid receivers in the NFL, or the highest-paid receiver, higher than Justin Jefferson," Rapoport said "There have been some talks. There has been some progress, but there is for sure nothing done yet."

Chase, who was selected by the Bengals at No. 5 in the 2021 NFL Draft, had 100 receptions for 1,216 yards and seven touchdowns in 2023, having recorded more than 1,000 receiving yards during each of his first three seasons.