Cincinnati Bengals owner sends strong message that should make Ja'Marr Chase very happy

It may not be the very next contract they put together, but figuring out an extension for wide receiver Ja'Marr Chase is the most important move the Cincinnati Bengals can make within the next 14 months, before he begins playing on the fifth-year option attached to his rookie contract.

Team president Mike Brown knows this, and left no room for interpretation when speaking to reporters during the Bengals' annual media luncheon.

"We are going to bend over backwards to make it happen," said Brown, who also clarified there's no set timetable as to when the deal will be official. "I can't tell you when it's going to get done."

That's about as strong of a message an 88-year old man can make, and for good reason. It would be pointless for Brown to beat around the bush here.

Chase is the Bengals' second-most important player. Period. The only one ahead of him is quarterback Joe Burrow, whom was paid handsomely right before last season.

There may be other players who could get paid before Chase , like placekicker Evan McPherson or nickelback Mike Hilton, but those deals would pale in comparison to how much Chase is expected to sign for. Justin Jefferson and his $35 million per year deal effectively set the market for Chase this offseason. The next step forward is crystal clear.

"He's a key player," Brown said . "Next to Joe, he's our next one. And he knows it, we know it.

"The reel has been cast."

To "bend over backwards" for a player is a lot different than how Brown and the Bengals' brass have handled Tee Higgins. The club was unable to agree on an extension with their other star wideout last year and wasted no time this offseason placing the franchise tag on him.

They had a ceiling in those negotiations. The ceiling figures to be much higher for Chase.

It would benefit the Bengals to extend Chase as soon as possible for the same reason why early extensions are always better for the team. Paying him now would end up saving them money in the long-term as they'd get ahead of CeeDee Lamb and other receivers hoping to reset the market in the future.

No matter when Chase gets his deal, he will be the highest-paid wideout in the game. The Bengals are more than happy to give him that title, even if they have to do it next year.

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