Steelers Rival Bengals Dealing with Possible Holdout from WR Ja'Marr Chase

Pittsburgh Steelers division rival Cincinnati is dealing with a situation many other teams are this offseason: At least one player who is holding out of training camp and the preseason in search of a new contract.

For the Bengals , it's standout wide receiver Ja'Marr Chase.

While nothing has been noted publicly, Chase has not been practicing with his teammates during training camp, and it's widely rumored he's in search of a new deal. But he has at least been present with the team while it worked out on the field.

That changed on Tuesday.

Multiple reports are that Chase is absent completely from the field. But it might not be as bad as it sounds, as ProFootballNetwork.com's Jay Morrison reports that the Tuesday practice is focused on special teams and a light-duty workout.

The Bengals have a scheduled practice later this week with the Chicago Bears.

No one has publicly revealed the reason for Chase's holdout, and the team will not confirm it even exists. But with Chase entering the fourth of five years of his rookie deal, he apparently wants a new deal done. The Bengals picked up his rookie fifth-year option earlier this spring.

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Chase has been one of the best receivers in the league since joining the Bengals out of LSU in 2021. The former Tiger has posed 262 catches for 3,717 yards and 29 tackles over three seasons.

The Steelers and the Bengals will match up twice this season. The first meeting will be Dec. 1 in Cincinnati, and the second in Pittsburgh on Jan. 5.