Fantasy managers—especially those who’ve already drafted and invested in Bengals superstar wideout Ja’Marr Chase—and Cincinnati fans can both breathe a small sigh of relief. Chase returned to practice today for the first time since training camp began weeks and weeks ago.
He’d been holding out for a contract extension, hoping to get paid somewhere in the ballpark of Justin Jefferson’s market-setting $35,000,000/year deal with the Minnesota Vikings.
Let’s not get too excited, but this development certainly smacks of positive momentum in contract talks between Chase’s team and the Bengals. More below.
Bengals WR Ja’Marr Chase returns to practice for the first time in training camp
Chase is in his final season of a four-year, $30,819,642 contract with the Bengals. The current deal included a $19,774,285 signing bonus. However, the Bengals picked up a fifth-year option on Chase, which will pay him $21.816 million fully guaranteed for the 2025 season.
Chase is hoping for (and expecting) much more from these negotiations, just as Fantasy managers and Bengals fans are expecting him to have a monster season. On DraftKings Sportsbook, currently, Chase has -110 odds to go over his 2024/25 receiving yards line of 1,250.5, +100 odds to clear his 8.5 receiving TD line, and -110 odds to surpass his receptions line of 98.5.
Should any of those hit, he’s in store for an absolutely volcanic season, both in Fantasy football and with regards to actual production for the Bengals.
His return to practice today should only be interpreted as fair winds and following seas re. contract negotiations. In an offseason full of hold-outs and -ins and wide receiver contract drama, Chase getting back on the field with his teammates is welcome tidings.
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