Cincinnati Bengals DVOA, Stats, & NFL Rankings

Cincinnati Bengals wide receiver Ja'Marr Chase (hold-in) is not practicing with the team to begin Week 1 preparation ahead of Sunday's matchup with the New England Patriots. Chase is seeking a new contract, and it's rumored that he wants to be the highest-paid wideout in the NFL. Former LSU teammate Justin Jefferson signed a four-year, $140 million contract this offseason, so that could be the starting point for Chase's camp. When asked about Chase's Week 1 availability, head coach Zac Taylor was non-committal, saying "We'll just take it day by day." This is a concern for fantasy managers who have selected Chase in the early first round, so hopefully, this situation will be resolved in the coming days. If Chase is active and playing in Week 1, he should be locked into all fantasy lineups, even if he's at risk of getting out to a slow start. The 24-year-old has overall WR1 upside in all matchups. If he surprisingly doesn't suit up, Tee Higgins will become a must-start option in all leagues, while second-year pass-catcher Andrei Iosivas could have flex value.

Cincinnati Bengals wide receiver Ja'Marr Chase was present for Monday's practice but didn't participate on the field. Chase has practiced once with the team all offseason as he seeks a new long-term contract extension. The Bengals have reportedly ramped up their efforts in contract talks in recent days, but with the team's Week 1 regular-season opener against the New England Patriots just six days away, it's becoming a very realistic possibility that fantasy managers won't have their first-round pick available to start the year. Even if the team signs the 24-year-old to a lucrative extension before Sunday, he could sit out entirely or be limited against the Patriots. Chase is a must-start in fantasy if he's active, but if he's not, it will drastically raise the ceiling of wideouts Tee Higgins and Andre Iosivas against New England. Check back on Chase's status throughout the week.

Kansas City Chiefs head coach Andy Reid said that he expects running back Samaje Perine, who was just signed this week after being released by the division-rival Denver Broncos, to play in the Week 1 regular-season opener on Thursday night against the Baltimore Ravens in a rematch of last year's AFC Championship. Although Perine will eventually have an opportunity to carve out a nice role on third downs for KC, the Chiefs won't overload him in the season opener, and he's currently listed as the RB4 on the depth chart behind starter Isiah Pacheco, Clyde Edwards-Helaire and rookie Carson Steele. Perine's signing with the defending Super Bowl champions immediately gave him more upside in deep PPR leagues, but he's still only worth a bench stash, at best. Perine's addition to KC's backfield should also slightly worry Pacheco's fantasy managers.

According to sources, the Cincinnati Bengals are intensifying their efforts to sign star wide receiver Ja'Marr Chase to a long-term contract extension with just over a week left until the Bengals kick off the regular season with a Week 1 matchup against the New England Patriots. Chase did step foot on the practice field last week for a day but has mostly been a hold-in at training camp while he seeks a new deal. A new long-term extension with Chase would be for well above $30 million per season for one of the best pass-catchers in the game. Nothing is imminent yet, but people inside the Bengals building are somewhat optimistic. Negotiations have been more difficult because the three-time Pro Bowler still has two years left on his current deal. Despite the hold-in, Chase should be considered a top-five fantasy wideout and should come off the board in the middle of the first round for those still yet to draft.

Kansas City Chiefs wide receiver JuJu Smith-Schuster and running back Samaje Perine will both be available in the season opener on Thursday evening against the Baltimore Ravens, according to Pete Sweeney of the Arrowhead Pride. Head coach Andy Reid noted that the team would be cautious about overloading Perine during the opener. Both Smith-Schuster and Perine signed with Kansas City earlier this week after hitting free agency. Smith-Schuster played in Kansas City in 2022 and totaled 933 yards on 78 catches that season but struggled in New England last fall. Perine posted a career-high 50 receptions and 455 receiving yards last season in Denver. Perine should be expected to serve as the third-down back throughout the season, while Smith-Schuster will serve as a depth option in the wide receiver room.