Ja’Marr Chase's Stats, Metrics, Game Logs, Projections & Rankings
Player profile
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HT/WT6' 0'' , 201 lbs
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Birthdate03/01/2000 (24)
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CollegeLSU
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Draft Info2021: Rd 1, Pk 5 (CIN)
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StatusActive
2023 season stats
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Receptions100 11th
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Receiving Yards1,216 12th
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Receiving Touchdowns7 17th
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Total DYAR226 16th
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.
Cincinnati Bengals wide receiver Ja'Marr Chase is at practice on Thursday, but he's not participating in the session. Chase is looking for a contract extension with the Bengals, and the two sides have about a week and a half to reach some sort of settlement before the regular-season opener against the New England Patriots rolls around on Sept. 8. The 24-year-old three-time Pro Bowler should not be moved in rankings by fantasy managers at this time, as this situation doesn't yet look nearly as messy as the impasse between Brandon Aiyuk and the San Francisco 49ers. For any time Chase continues to sit out, Tee Higgins will serve as Cincinnati's WR1 at practice, and he would obviously see a surge in fantasy value if Chase unexpectedly extends his absence into Week 1.
Cincinnati Bengals head coach Zac Taylor admitted he may have been premature in his comments about wide receiver Ja'Marr Chase's status, stating that Chase is now considered day-to-day. Taylor acknowledged he "spoke too quickly" on Tuesday regarding Chase's availability and expressed hope that Chase will return "hopefully at some point soon." Despite Taylor's earlier statement that Chase would practice this week, the star wide receiver did not participate in Wednesday's session as the team prepared for its season opener. Chase has essentially been "holding in" throughout the preseason as he seeks a better contract than the $1.1 million he's set to earn in 2024. However, his salary will increase to over $21 million in 2025 due to the Bengals picking up his fifth-year option in April. Taylor also mentioned he expects Chase to play in Week 1 against the New England Patriots, but the final outcome remains uncertain with the situation evolving rapidly.
It doesn't look like Cincinnati Bengals wide receiver Ja'Marr Chase is practicing on Wednesday. After head coach Zac Taylor said on Tuesday that Chase was going to continue to practice amid ongoing contract negotiations with the Bengals, the wideout got to practice 13 minutes after it has started in street clothes. Taylor also said Tuesday that he expects Chase to suit up for Cincinnati's regular-season opener against the visiting New England Patriots on Sept. 8 at Paycor Stadium, so fantasy managers shouldn't be moving the 24-year-old All-Pro around in their first-round rankings for the final week of drafts. Despite missing star quarterback Joe Burrow for half of the season last year, Chase put up a career-high 100 receptions (145 targets) in 16 appearances.UPDATE: "I think I probably put my foot in my mouth speaking too quickly," Taylor said. "Again, this is a day-to-day situation. We'll just keep seeing it as that."
The Cincinnati Bengals and wide receiver Ja'Marr Chase are still in contract negotiations, and if the two sides reach a new deal, it could make him the highest-paid wide receiver in the NFL. According to NFL insider Ian Rapoport, the contract talks are centered around reaching a deal that matches or surpasses Chase's former college teammate, Justin Jefferson. The Vikings All-Pro signed a four-year, $140 million extension this offseason, so that's the ballpark Chase is reportedly looking to be in. The good news is head coach Zac Taylor said he feels confident that Chase will play in Week 1, so fantasy managers can continue to consider him in the top five of fantasy drafts in all scoring formats. Despite playing with an injured quarterback Joe Burrow or backup Jake Browning last year, Chase tallied 100 receptions for 1,216 yards and seven touchdowns. If Burrow is at full health in 2024, the superstar wideout could be in contention to finish as the overall WR1.