CINCINNATI — Any motion in a stalemate is notable.
So when Cincinnati Bengals broad receiver Ja’Marr Chase stepped onto the sector at Paycor Stadium on Sunday, it was important. Amid the shortage of a contract extension, Chase didn’t follow throughout coaching camp, which ended earlier than the group’s preseason finale Thursday.
ESPN NFL Insider Adam Schefter mentioned Chase was making a good-faith gesture by being on the sector amid the negotiations, however it did not essentially imply the 2 sides have been any nearer to a decision.
The larger questions stay about the place issues stand relating to Chase and his availability for the group’s season opener towards the New England Patriots on Sept. 8 (1 p.m. ET, CBS). This week ought to present some solutions.
After mild practices early within the week, Wednesday would be the first commonplace follow since Chase’s current involvement. What he does and what he says might be essential to gauging his standing shifting ahead.
“His enterprise is his enterprise,” quarterback Joe Burrow mentioned July 24 on the outset of coaching camp. “He is out right here encouraging guys, and I am not fully positive what his plan is at this level, however I do know he is with us one hundred pc.”
“Plan” has been one of many buzzwords of Bengals coaching camp. On the early levels of Chase’s nonparticipation, it is what coach Zac Taylor repeatedly referenced when requested concerning the receiver’s standing. It obtained to the purpose that it drew chuckles in Taylor’s information conferences when it grew to become the default reply to neutralize any perceived stress.
“My brother is killing me for my plan,” Taylor mentioned July 29, referencing Press Taylor, the Jacksonville Jaguars’ offensive coordinator. “He needs to know what plan.”
Courting again to the group’s necessary minicamp, Chase appeared to be following some participation parameters. After not reporting for any voluntary exercises, he took half within the portion of the necessary minicamp that resembled a group’s walkthrough. When that ended and the group shifted into a traditional follow interval, Chase sat out. Throughout coaching camp, Chase participated in some walkthroughs.
And although he wasn’t going by way of follow drills, he was all the time seen. That modified Aug. 13, when he was not noticed on the group’s last prep work in Cincinnati forward of a joint follow and preseason recreation towards the Chicago Bears.
After lacking that day, Chase made the journey and has been at every follow since. However Taylor has declined to say whether or not it was an excused or unexcused absence. The tenor with which Taylor mentioned Chase’s standing additionally shifted.
“I’ve already mentioned every thing I will say on that,” Taylor mentioned Aug. 19.
If Chase practices Wednesday, it should additional point out he’s keen to play Week 1 regardless of the shortage of a contract extension. A supply accustomed to the negotiations informed ESPN that as of Sunday, there was nothing new to report on the matter. Previously, Chase has expressed a want to be paid on the prime of the market.
The market made information Monday as Dallas Cowboys broad receiver CeeDee Lamb agreed to a four-year, $136 million deal. Lamb is now the second-highest-paid paid receiver within the NFL, with Minnesota’s Justin Jefferson topping the market at $35 million a season.
Because the finish of final season, Chase hasn’t mentioned a lot. He has declined all media requests since minicamp.
That is what makes what he says and does this week so vital because the Bengals put together for an enormous season.
“Each time he steps again out right here,” Burrow mentioned in July, “he will be the Ja’Marr Chase that everyone is aware of that he’s.”
