Cincinnati Bengals wide receiver Ja’Marr Chase hoped to ink a new contract with the team by holding in throughout training camp. While he was unable to secure a new deal before the start of the season, Chase returned to practice and ultimately played against the New England Patriots in Week One.
The three-time Pro Bowl wideout still hasn’t reached an agreement with the Bengals on an extension. But he’s in “good spirits” and has been practicing with the team all week, according to Dianna Russini of The Athletic. Cincinnati will head to Kansas City to take on the Chiefs in Week Two.
The Bengals will be relying on Chase to help the team bounce back from a disappointing loss to the Patriots in the season opener. Cincinnati had trouble moving the ball against New England as Joe Burrow completed 21 passes for 164 scoreless yards in the 16-10 defeat. Although the passing game struggled, Chase led the way with six receptions for 62 yards as number two wideout Tee Higgins sat out with a hamstring injury.
Ja’Marr Chase is in a good place despite ongoing contract dispute with Bengals
Despite the Week One loss, Chase remains confident that the Bengals, not the Chiefs, are the team to beat in the AFC. The fourth-year receiver has played well in his career against Kansas City. He has 21 receptions on 27 targets for 404 yards and three touchdowns in three regular season games against the Chiefs, averaging nearly 135 yards per contest.
The Bengals have gone 2-1 against Kansas City in the regular season since Chase entered the league in 2021. They’re 1-1 in postseason matchups against the Chiefs in that span and Chase has 12 receptions on 17 targets for 129 yards and one receiving touchdown against KC in the playoffs. He added a three-yard rushing touchdown for good measure in the Cincinnati’s victory over Kansas City in the AFC Championship game for the 2021 season.
