Latest Ja'Marr Chase contract report confirms suspicion about what comes next for the Bengals

Eight days ago, with the Cincinnati Bengals' Week 1 game about 48 hours away, wide receiver Ja'Marr Chase told reporters that the deadline for him to reach a contract extension with the club had arrived. Eight days later, it's become national news.

ESPN's Adam Schefter confirmed Saturday night that Chase will not negotiate with the Bengals during the regular season.

Chase's media session last Friday was the first and only time he spoke on his contract negotiations. He revealed that the Bengals were the side to approach him first about an extension, and that he would play regardless if an agreement is reached after missing out on all of training camp.

What he didn't reveal was the $50 million insurance policy he took out for this season, or that he planned on only reporting to camp on the day he could earn his $4 million reporting bonus, or that his representation threatened he'd miss the first two regular season games without an agreement.

According to Shefter's report , all of it reportedly stems from the three-time Pro Bowl receiver feeling "misled" by the front office about an extension materializing this offseason.

This, of course, represents one side of conflict, and it isn't the Bengals' side. It also bears repeating what Chase made loud and clear last week.

He wasn't going to negotiate during the season.

"Me deadline was today," Chase said last Friday. "Who knows what's gonna happen."

On top of Chase's confirmation as a player, the team itself already gave its answer through history.

The Bengals have always used the end of the offseason as the yearly deadline for player extensions. The largest deals in franchise history have occurred within days of the season officially starting. It's one of the central aspects of the team that has withstood the lifespan of the franchise.

Expecting the Bengals to continue negotiations into the season would've been ignoring the past. Even if Chase's talent and value would back a possible rules exception, history was not on his side to begin with.

Chase's reported threats and feelings of being misled should warrant concern, but are also countered by a previous report of the team being " frustrated " with Chase's camp slowing down the process. If Chase's side didn't come to the table until later than the Bengals wanted, then blame would be distributed on both sides.

Going back to deadlines, this wasn't the final one. Chase is under contract through the 2025 season. Both sides can restart negotiations at the start of the next offseason.

"Yes," Chase answered simply when asked about negotiating next offseason.

Chase may've been led astray by the Bengals for not getting over the goal line in negotiations. Bengals On SI's James Rapien reported that Chase was offered a four-year, $140 million deal with $90 million guaranteed, but talks stalled over how quickly the guarantees would kick in.

It's a hurdle the Bengals should've been able to overcome, but trying to do so during the season was never a realistic idea. Neither side gave any indication that it could happen.

What does happen next is Chase plays the season, and both sides pick up where they left off last week in the winter. The price will have likely increased by then, but the Bengals will have another offseason to extend the contract of their top receiver.

If that fails, then the real problem has arrived.

Related: Zac Taylor teases plan for Ja’Marr Chase that will help Bengals get back on track against Chiefs