Bengals Star Wide Receiver Ja’Marr Chase Ends Hold-In

Cincinnati Bengals Pro Bowl wide receiver Ja’Marr Chase ended his hold-in on Sunday and practiced with the team for the first time since the start of training camp, according to Tom Peliserro of NFL Network.

With the season approaching, Chase returned to the field, despite not having a new deal inked. The Bengals open the regular season in two weeks against the New England Patriots.

Chase will make $21.86 million in 2025 if he plays under the fifth-year option, but a massive long-term deal is likely to be reached before then. Chase’s former LSU teammate Justin Jefferson of the Minnesota Vikings makes $35 million per year annually, he’s the highest-paid wideout in NFL history. Chase certainly will use Jefferson’s upcoming contract as leverage prior to the 2025 season.

Bengals owner Mike Brown wants to keep Chase in Cincinnati, saying the team is “gonna bend over backwards to get it done.”

“He’s a key player,” Bengals owner Mike Brown told reporters Monday, via Cincinnati Bengals Talk. “Next to Joe (Burrow), he’s our next one, and he knows it. We know it. This may take a while.

“We are gonna bend over backwards to get it done. I can’t tell you when though.”

Photographic proof of Ja’Marr Chase’s return to practice today: https://t.co/Gf4vv4DeX0

— Tom Pelissero (@TomPelissero) August 25, 2024

In 45 regular-season games, Chase has caught 268 passes for 3,717 yards (13.9 average) and 29 touchdowns. He was named the AP Offensive Rookie of the Year following the 2021 season, and has been selected to the Pro Bowl three times. He was named second-team All-Pro in 2022.

In 2023, Chase recorded a career-high 100 receptions, tying for the second most in a season in team history, for 1,216 yards and seven toucdowns. Chase broke out in his rookie season with 13 touchdowns and averaged 18.0 yards per reception. He is one of eight players in NFL history to reach the 1,000-yard receiving mark in each of his first three career seasons.

The Pittsburgh Steelers will see Chase and the Bengals in Week 13 at Cincinnati and in Week 18 at Acrisure Stadium. Chase has recorded 21 receptions for 314 yards and three touchdowns in four games against the Steelers in his career.