Ja'Marr Chase’s Contract 'Trajectory' Made Clear After Latest Report

Cincinnati Bengals star wide receiver Ja'Marr Chase's contract status was revealed on Tuesday morning as his "hold-in" continues while he awaits a new deal from the team.

Chase is currently in the midst of contract negotiations with the Bengals, seeking a deal that could make him one of the highest-paid wide receivers in the NFL.

On Tuesday's episode of “ The Pat McAfee Show ,” NFL insider Adam Schefter shared insights into Chase’s contract trajectory, comparing it to the path taken by his teammate Joe Burrow’s contract extension last season.

The Cincinnati Bengals rewarded Burrow with a massive contract extension just minutes before the first game of the 2023 NFL season—a five-year, $275 million deal with $219 million guaranteed. Schefter hinted that Chase could be on a similar timeline.

"If we go back to last year, when did Joe Burrow's deal get done?" Schefter said. "That deal came eleven minutes into the opener. I almost feel like we're on that type of trajectory."

Schefter also noted that even if Chase secures an extension within the next 48 hours before the NFL kickoff, his productivity in their Week 1 game could be limited to just red zone situations, third downs and other critical moments due to his lack of full participation this summer.

Chase has been crucial to the Bengals' success since his rookie year, and he's seeking a contract that surpasses those recently signed by stars like Minnesota's Justin Jefferson and Dallas' CeeDee Lamb, both of whom secured deals around the $35 million per year mark.

Though Chase remains under contract until 2025 with two years left on his rookie deal, he’s looking to solidify his future with a contract that reflects his elite status in the league.

Related: Report: Ja'Marr Chase wants new contract to beat Justin Jefferson's by a penny