Cincinnati Bengals expect WR Ja'Marr Chase to play in season opener

The Cincinnati Bengals expect wide receiver Ja'Marr Chase to play in their 2024 National Football League (NFL) regular season opener against the New England Patriots at home on September 8, head coach Zac Taylor said on Tuesday.

Chase, who still has two years left on his current rookie contract with Cincinnati, including a $21.8 million fifth-year option, missed all of the team's pre-season training camp. That's not unusual for players in the midst of contract negotiations, but he did attend their two light practices this week.

"I think it gives you the visual of what it's going to look and feel like for us," Taylor said of Chase. "It's been good to get him back in the mix the last couple of days."

After being drafted by the Bengals with the fifth overall pick in 2021, Chase has made 269 catches in 45 games for 3,717 receiving yards and 29 touchdowns. He was named NFL Offensive Rookie of the Year and selected as a Second Team All-Pro in 2021, and is a three-time Pro Bowler.

Cincinnati advanced to Super Bowl LVI but lost to the Los Angeles Rams in the title contest on February 13, 2022. The team reached NFL Playoffs again the next season, but fell to eventual Super Bowl LVII winners the Kansas City Chiefs in the American Football Conference (AFC) Championship Game.

Last season, the Bengals failed to make the postseason, partly because starting quarterback Joe Burrow only played in 10 games due to injury. Nonetheless, if Burrow returns in good health, he and Chase will once again combine to form one of league's potentially strongest offensive combinations.

In speculating on Chase's possible contract extension, analysts cite the Dallas Cowboys signing a four-year, $136 million deal, including $100 million guaranteed, with wide receiver CeeDee Lamb, and the Minnesota Vikings inking a four-year, $140 million extension, including $110 million guaranteed, with wide receiver Justin Jefferson.