Bengals superstar wide receiver not practicing amid contract dispute

After a lengthy holdout, Cincinnati Bengals wide receiver Ja’Marr Chase returned to practice on Sunday.

However, that reunion has seemingly proved to be short-lived.

ESPN’s Ben Baby reported that Chase was not present at practice early on Wednesday.

However, he did eventually arrive later, and he was in street clothes and did not participate. Only one day ago, head coach Zac Taylor stated that Chase would be a full participant at practice this week.

Chase has been attempting to negotiate a new extension with the Bengals throughout the offseason, but the two sides have been unable to reach a deal. His decision to sit out of practice comes only one day after wide receiver CeeDee Lamb signed a four-year, $136 million extension with the Dallas Cowboys.

NFL Network’s Ian Rapoport gave an update on the negotiations on Tuesday.

“My understanding is the two sides are still discussing a potential extension,” Rapoport said. “If he got it, would make him either tied for the highest-paid receiver with Justin Jefferson or beating Justin Jefferson by one cent, which I believe is in fact the goal by Ja’Marr Chase.”

Jefferson’s contract is comparable to Lamb’s extension. It is a four-year, $140 million deal and includes $110 million in guaranteed money.

Chase has quickly established himself as one of the best wide receivers in the game. Last season, he hauled in 100 receptions for 1,216 yards and seven touchdowns. His 268 career receptions are the sixth-most by a wide receiver in the first three seasons in NFL history .

The Bengals need to reach a long-term deal with their franchise cornerstone.

MORE BENGALS
Projecting the contract extension for Bengals star WR Ja'Marr Chase
NFL personnel name Joe Burrow a 'top tier' quarterback
What CeeDee Lamb's extension means for Ja'Marr Chase