Cincinnati Bengals WR Ja’Marr Chase Has Insane Contract Goal

As former LSU teammates, Cincinnati Bengals star Ja’Marr Chase and Minnesota Vikings stud Justin Jefferson have had a friendly rivalry. Both players are respected as some of the best, young receivers in the NFL.

This offseason, Jefferson and the Vikings agreed to the largest contract extension for any non-quarterback in NFL history. The deal came in at four years and $140 million, bringing a base salary of $35 million per year and $89 million guaranteed.

• Justin Jefferson career stats: 60 games, 392 receptions, 5,899 yards, 30 TDs
• Ja’Marr Chase career stats: 45 games, 268 receptions, 3,717 yards, 29 TDs

So, while they play a similar game with similar stats, should they be paid similarly?

Chris Harris Jr. joined Kay Adams on Up & Adams recently to discuss the upcoming contract situation for Chase, showcasing the hidden rivalry between the former teammates.

I definitely see Chase coming up next and trying to beat that [Justin Jefferson deal]… They got that little LSU rivalry.

Chris Harris Jr. on Up & Adams, discussing Ja’Marr Chase contract extension

While some rivalries in the NFL revolve around malice and distaste between two parties, this rivalry is different.

Jefferson and Chase were teammates on one of the most talented college football teams of all time . Competition in an offense like the 2019 LSU Tigers’ offense breeds a type of competitive nature that drives the greats to reach such high peaks.

Justin Jefferson paved the way for Ja’Marr Chase’s upcoming contract extension

That’s all this is, and it could bring Chase to a similar payday as his former receiver.

Jefferson entered the NFL a year before Chase, making for a difference in stats between the two. However, when looking at their stats under a microscope, it’s harder to see the difference.

Through Jefferson’s 60 first games, he has averaged 14.7 yards per touch, coming in with 98.3 yards per game. Looking at Chase, he averages 82.6 yards per game, coming in at 13.2 yards per touch.

Examining the comparison, Jefferson tops Chase when looking at just how much they produce each game, but when focusing on the build of both teams, the Bengals have certainly had more mouths to feed since Chase was drafted, compared to Jefferson’s target-share throughout his time with the Vikings.

• Justin Jefferson career target share
  • 2020: 125/516 (24.2%)
  • 2021: 167/604 (27.6%)
  • 2022: 184/672 (27.4%)
  • 2023: 100/631 (16%)
    • injured in 2023*
      
• Ja’Marr Chase career career target share
  • 2021: 128/555 (23%)
  • 2022: 134/610 (22%)
  • 2023: 145/615 (23.6%)

While it might seem insignificant, the difference between 27 percent of targets and 23 percent of targets is enough to warrant a difference in stats between the two.

Something else that plays into it is quarterback play, playing into the contractual makeup of both teams.

Jefferson has had consistently above-average quarterback play with Kirk Cousins in his first four seasons. However, with the duo of Sam Darnold and J.J. McCarthy fighting for the starting job , Jefferson’s targets could become a little less consistent. That being said, his team has less money tied to big contracts, given the two quarterback salaries on their books.

Chase has been paired with Joe Burrow his entire career. Burrow is a talented quarterback , but the injury bug caused him to miss 12 games between 2020 and 2023. Even with missing Burrow in those games, Chase has remained consistently efficient his entire career. However, having a quarterback like Burrow, who received a five-year, $275 million contract with $212 million guaranteed last year, makes a hefty deal for Chase a bit harder to construct logistically.

The Bengals have important contracts to distribute, and Chase will be one of them. The price of a stud wide receiver is expensive right now, especially with Jefferson’s recent extension, but the Bengals would be regretful if they let Jefferson’s price tag be the reason they don’t retain Chase.

He might not have the yardage that Jefferson brings to the table, but Chase has consistently been one of the top receivers in the league since being drafted in 2021.

To the Cincinnati Bengals: Give Ja’Marr Chase a blank check. He’ll ensure the amount is worth it, regardless of how high that price is.

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