Tag: Ja’Marr Chase

Dallas Cowboys linebacker Micah Parsons speaks to campers at the Micah Parsons Lions Den Football Camp at St. John Paul II High School in Corpus Christi, Texas, on Saturday, March 15, 2025.

Report: Cowboys star Micah Parsons seeks $200M extension

Posted on | by Field Level Media

Cowboys All-Pro pass rusher Micah Parsons is seeking a $200 million contract extension, The Dallas Morning News reported.

That total would serve as the largest deal ever for a non-quarterback in NFL history.

Conversations between Parsons’ representation and members of the Cowboys’ front office were conducted at the NFL Scouting Combine in late February. It’s been quiet on the front since then, per the report.

Sizable contracts for non-quarterbacks are nothing new this offseason.

Las Vegas Raiders star edge rusher Maxx Crosby signed a three-year, $106.5 million deal, only to be trumped by Cleveland Browns standout defensive end Myles Garrett inking a four-year, $160 million. Cincinnati Bengals All-Pro wide receiver Ja’Marr Chase reeled in a four-year, $161 million pact.

Those contracts are the largest in terms of annual average value for a non-quarterback.

Parsons, 25, recorded 12 sacks, 43 tackles and two forced fumbles in 13 games (all starts) last season.

A Pro Bowl selection in each of his first four seasons in the league, Parsons has totaled 256 tackles (63 for loss), 112 quarterback hits, 52.5 sacks, nine forced fumbles and four fumble recoveries in 63 career games (all starts).

–Field Level Media

Cincinnati Bengals wide receivers Tee Higgins (5) and Ja'Marr Chase (1) celebrate a touchdown during a game on Nov. 17, 2024.

Reports: Bengals signing WRs Ja’Marr Chase, Tee Higgins to 4-year deals

Posted on | by Field Level Media

The Cincinnati Bengals are keeping star wide receivers Ja’Marr Chase and Tee Higgins after the pair agreed to contract extensions, according to multiple reports on Sunday night.

The receivers told Fox Sports, with figures confirmed by an NFL Network report, details of the new pacts. Chase, who was entering the final year of his most recent deal, agreed to a four-year, $161 million contract that includes $112 million guaranteed.

The annual average salary of $40.25 million sets the league record for most lucrative for a non-quarterback.

Higgins has agreed to a four-year, $115 million contract with the first two years guaranteed. The Bengals had used the franchise tag on Higgins for the second consecutive year to block him from reaching unrestricted free agency for the 2025 season. The one-year salary for franchise-tagged wide receivers is $26.2 million.

The Bengals and Higgins had a deadline of July 15 to come to terms on a long-term contract agreement. Higgins said he wanted to stay with Cincinnati. His trade value set under the terms of the CBA on franchise tags would be two first-round draft picks, if the team could have found a suitor for their No. 2 receiver.

The franchise was trying to figure out how to compensate two players at the same position as well as the entire team under the salary cap. The Bengals negotiated last preseason with Chase, who held out part of training camp before deciding to play without a new deal.

Chase, who turned 25 on March 1, led the league in receptions (127), receiving yards (1,708) and touchdown receptions (17) as well as yards per game (100.5) in 17 games (16 starts).

The Bengals selected Chase with the fifth overall pick of the 2021 NFL Draft out of LSU, where he was a teammate of his quarterback in Cincinnati, two-time Pro Bowl selection Joe Burrow.

For his career, Chase has 395 catches for 5,425 yards and 46 touchdowns in 62 regular-season games (61 starts). He also has 45 receptions for 588 yards and three TDs in seven playoff games (all starts).

He has been selected to the Pro Bowl in all four seasons, and was first-team All-Pro in 2024. Chase was the NFL Offensive Rookie of the Year in 2021.

Higgins, 26, played in 12 games (nine starts) in 2024 and caught 10 TD passes with 73 receptions for 911 yards. He has 34 career touchdowns, 330 catches and 4,595 yards in 70 regular-season games (62 starts) since being selected in the second round of the 2020 draft.

The Bengals used the No. 1 pick in the same draft to select Burrow, who has said he would be disappointed if Higgins doesn’t return.

–Field Level Media

Bengals Ja'Marr Chase (1) leaps over a Steelers player during their game against the Steelers at Acrisure Stadium on Saturday January 4, 2025. The Bengals lead the game at halftime with a score of 13-7.

Bengals expect hefty asking price from star WR Ja’Marr Chase

Posted on | by Field Level Media

The Cincinnati Bengals are ready to open contract negotiations again with wide receiver Ja’Marr Chase, who likely is seeking to become the highest-paid non-quarterback in the NFL.

Chase, 24, is entering the final season of his rookie deal and is coming off a season in which he won the receivers’ triple crown, leading the NFL in
receptions (127), receiving yards (1,708) and receiving touchdowns (17).

“It’s a priority for us,” Bengals’ director of personnel Duke Tobin told The (Cincinnati) Enquirer on Wednesday. “It’s something we feel like there’s a framework to work off of. … Guys in his position have recently re-done contracts. We believe in Ja’Marr, he’s very important to us. The other guys that have done contracts are very important to their teams. So, we believe there’s a real framework to work off of. I would expect that we could come together on something that makes sense for both sides.”

That framework starts with the $140 million, four-year deal between the Minnesota Vikings and Justin Jefferson, who received $110 million in guaranteed money. His average annual salary of $35 million tops all non-quarterbacks.

The Bengals selected Chase with the No. 5 overall pick of the 2021 NFL Draft, and he signed a four-year, $30.8 million contract. The team exercised its $21.8 million option for 2025 last April.

But the two sides weren’t able to reach an agreement last summer on an extension. Chase reported to training camp to avoid fines but didn’t practice until just before the season opener.

The Bengals, who finished 9-8 and just out of the AFC playoffs this season, already have signed quarterback Joe Burrow to a long-term deal. The two, teammates at LSU, have been magical together.

In his career, Chase has played in 62 games (61 starts) and has made 395 catches for 5,425 yards and 46 touchdowns.

–Field Level Media

Cincinnati Bengals quarterback Joe Burrow (9) walks for the locker room after the fourth quarter of the NFL Week 13 game between the Cincinnati Bengals and the Pittsburgh Steelers at Paycor Stadium in downtown Cincinnati on Sunday, Dec. 1, 2024. The Steelers won 44-38.

Bengals’ Joe Burrow: ‘Have I told you I bought a Batmobile?’

Posted on | by Field Level Media

Cincinnati Bengals quarterback Joe Burrow is going to need a superhero-like performance in order to change the narrative of his team’s season.

Perhaps that’s the reasoning for Burrow’s latest purchase.

Burrow shelled out $2.99 million to buy one of 10 officially licensed and fully functional Batmobiles that are sold by Wayne Enterprises Experiences. The Pro Bowl quarterback revealed the news in a conversation with wide receivers Ja’Marr Chase and Tee Higgins during the premiere episode of HBO’s “Hard Knocks: In Season with the AFC North” on Tuesday.

“Have I told you I bought a Batmobile?” Burrow told the duo during a practice last week. “I don’t get it for like a year, but I bought one.”

Burrow, however, admitted that he likely will be on the hook for additional purchases with the car. Quite naturally, he’ll also need the proper attire.

“I think I gotta go all-in and go for like the expensive batsuit,” Burrow told Chase.

Burrow, who turns 28 next week, leads the NFL in touchdowns (30) and passing yards (3,337).

The Bengals (4-8), however, have lost three in a row and are on the brink of missing the playoffs for the second straight season.

–Field Level Media

Cincinnati Bengals Ja'Marr Chase looks at the scoreboard as his team is defeated by the New England Patriots 16-10 at Paycor Stadium Sunday, September 8, 2024. The Bengals lost 16-10.

Report: Bengals WR Ja’Marr Chase gets insurance policy on himself

Posted on | by Field Level Media

Star wide receiver Ja’Marr Chase was unable to secure a long-term contract extension with the Cincinnati Bengals during the offseason.

With talks likely on hold for the remainder of the season — a stance that long has been the case in the history of the Bengals — Chase reportedly opted for a different route. He elected to take out a $50 million insurance policy on himself for this season as a means to protect himself from injury and any potential lost earnings, ESPN reported Sunday.

The contract stalemate kept Chase on the sidelines for training camp and the preseason. He had six catches for 62 yards in Cincinnati’s 16-10 setback to the New England Patriots last Sunday.

Chase, 24, is seeking a contract extension along the lines of his former LSU teammate Justin Jefferson of the Minnesota Vikings. Jefferson reset the market with a four-year, $140 million contract ($35 million per season) that eclipsed the $32 million per year Philadelphia Eagles wideout A.J. Brown receives.

Amon-Ra St. Brown signed a four-year deal worth $30.002 million per year with the Detroit Lions, and the Dallas Cowboys finally paid CeeDee Lamb’s asking price — four years, $136 million with $100 million guaranteed — last month to bring his offseason holdout to a close.

Chase caught 100 passes for 1,216 yards and seven touchdowns last season. He’s scheduled to play on the final year of his four-year rookie contract — at a base salary of $1.055 million — and has a fifth-year team option worth $21.8 million for 2025.

The No. 5 pick in the 2021 draft, Chase has 274 catches for 3,779 yards and 29 touchdowns in 46 games with Cincinnati. He has posted three 1,000-yard seasons.

–Field Level Media

Cincinnati Bengals wide receiver Ja'Marr Chase (1) stretches during training, Wednesday, Sept. 4, 2024, at the Kettering Health Practice Fields outside of Paycor Stadium in Cincinnati.

Despite contract impasse, Ja’Marr Chase active for Bengals

Posted on | by Field Level Media

Cincinnati Bengals wide receiver Ja’Marr Chase, locked in a protracted contract dispute with the team, will play in Sunday’s opener against the visiting New England Patriots.

He had been listed on the team’s injury report as questionable due to illness.

Chase had said he would be the one to decide whether he would suit up against the Patriots, and he decided to, even though ESPN reported Sunday morning that the Bengals and Chase were unable to come to a contract agreement before game day.

The contract stalemate kept Chase on the sidelines for training camp and the preseason, and he just returned to practice on Wednesday. His usage against the Patriots likely will be low and limited to key plays, such as third down or in the red zone, since he did not have the opportunity to work himself into top game shape.

Chase is seeking a contract extension along the lines of his former LSU teammate Justin Jefferson of the Minnesota Vikings. Jefferson reset the market with a four-year, $140 million contract ($35 million per season) that eclipsed the $32 million per year Philadelphia Eagles wideout A.J. Brown receives.

Amon-Ra St. Brown signed a four-year deal worth $30.002 million per year with the Detroit Lions, and the Dallas Cowboys finally paid CeeDee Lamb’s asking price — four years, $136 million with $100 million guaranteed — last month to bring his offseason holdout to a close.

Chase caught 100 passes for 1,216 yards and seven touchdowns last season. He’s scheduled to play on the final year of his four-year rookie contract — at a base salary of $1.055 million — and has a fifth-year team option worth $21.8 million for 2025.

The No. 5 pick in the 2021 draft, Chase has 268 catches for 3,717 yards and 29 touchdowns in 45 games with Cincinnati.

While Chase is available to play, the Bengals listed the following players as inactive: wide receivers Tee Higgins and Kendric Pryor, defensive end Cedric Johnson, offensive tackle Amarius Mims, tight end Tanner McLachlan and defensive tackle Kris Jenkins Jr.

As for the Patriots, they listed wide receiver Javon Baker, quarterback Joe Milton III, linebacker Curtis Jacobs, guard Sidy Sow, defensive tackle Eric Johnson and tackles Zachary Thomas and Demontrey Jacobs as inactive.

–Field Level Media

Cincinnati Bengals wide receiver Ja'Marr Chase (1) catches a pass in the fourth quarter during a Week 17 NFL football game between the Cincinnati Bengals and the Kansas City Chiefs, Sunday, Dec. 31, 2023, at GEHA Field at Arrowhead Stadium in Kansas City, Mo. The Kansas City Chiefs won, 25-17.

Bengals WR Ja’Marr Chase returns to practice field

Posted on | by Field Level Media

Cincinnati Bengals wide receiver Ja’Marr Chase returned to the practice field on Wednesday.

Observers posted videos online of Chase dressed for practice and holding his helmet, walking with fellow wideout Tee Higgins.

Earlier Wednesday, head coach Zac Taylor was asked if Chase would participate.

“We’ll see,” Taylor said.

There was no confirmation as to whether Chase actually took part.

Chase, 24, was listed as day-to-day earlier this week as the Bengals prepared to host the New England Patriots in Sunday’s season opener.

There was no indication of any resolution to Chase’s contract stalemate, which has kept him on the sidelines for training camp and the preseason.

ESPN reported that Chase also attended a team meeting and that contract talks are ongoing.

Chase is seeking a contract extension along the lines of his former LSU teammate Justin Jefferson, who reset the market with a four-year, $140 million contract ($35 million per season) that eclipsed the $32 million per year Eagles wideout A.J. Brown receives.

Amon-Ra St. Brown signed a four-year deal worth $30.002 million per year with the Lions, and the Cowboys finally paid CeeDee Lamb’s asking price — four years, $136 million with $100 million guaranteed — last month to bring his offseason holdout to a close.

Chase caught 100 passes for 1,216 yards and seven touchdowns last season. He’s scheduled to play on the final year of his four-year rookie contract — at a base salary of $1.055 million — and has a fifth-year team option worth $21.8 million for 2025.

The No. 5 pick in the 2021 draft, Chase has 268 catches for 3,717 yards and 29 touchdowns in 45 games with Cincinnati.

–Field Level Media

Aug 22, 2024; Cincinnati, Ohio, USA; Cincinnati Bengals wide receiver Ja'Marr Chase (1) stands on the field during warmups before the game against the Indianapolis Colts at Paycor Stadium. Mandatory Credit: Katie Stratman-USA TODAY Sports

Bengals WR Ja’Marr Chase day-to-day after not practicing

Posted on | by Field Level Media

With the Bengals’ season opener looming Sunday, star wide receiver Ja’Marr Chase didn’t practice Monday and is listed as day-to-day, according to Cincinnati coach Zac Taylor.

During the portion of practice open to the media, Chase was seen shagging balls during a drill with assistant coaches while also standing with his fellow receivers while they stretched.

“There are always injuries and things you have to deal with, so we’ll adapt to him,” Taylor said.

Taylor wouldn’t say how much the three-time Pro Bowl selection could play Sunday against the visiting New England Patriots.

“It’s impossible for me to say with 100 percent conviction, but I feel good about the shape that he’s in,” the sixth-year coach said.

Chase, 24, is seeking a contract extension along the lines of his former LSU teammate Justin Jefferson, who reset the market with a four-year, $140 million contract ($35 million per season) that eclipsed the $32 million per year Eagles wideout A.J. Brown receives.

Amon-Ra St. Brown signed a four-year deal worth $30.002 million per year with the Lions, and the Cowboys finally paid CeeDee Lamb’s asking price — four years, $136 million with $100 million guaranteed — last week to bring his offseason holdout to a close.

Chase caught 100 passes for 1,216 yards and seven touchdowns last season. He’s scheduled to play on the final year of his four-year rookie contract — at a base salary of $1.055 million — and has a fifth-year team option worth $21.8 million for 2025.

Teammate Tee Higgins is playing out the franchise tender on his deal after the Bengals allowed his contract to expire, then tagged him in March.

The No. 5 pick in the 2021 draft, Chase has 268 catches for 3,717 yards and 29 touchdowns in 45 games with Cincinnati.

–Field Level Media

Cincinnati Bengals wide receiver Ja'Marr Chase (1) talks with head coach Zac Taylor on the sideline during a preseason training camp practice at the Paycor Stadium practice field in downtown Cincinnati on Wednesday, Aug. 7, 2024.

Warning sign: WR Ja’Marr Chase resumes hold-in at Bengals practice

Posted on | by Field Level Media

Bengals wide receiver Ja’Marr Chase arrived nearly 15 minutes late for practice on Wednesday wearing street clothes and stirring doubt over his willingness to play in the Week 1 opener in 10 days.

Chase observed practice one day after head coach Zac Taylor provided a confident “yes” to a question about whether Chase would suit up when Cincinnati welcomes the New England Patriots to begin the regular season on Sept. 8.

“It’s been good just to have our full complement of weapons out there,” Taylor said on Tuesday’s Zoom call with media. “I think it gives you the visual of what it’s going to look and feel like for us. It’s been good to get him back in the mix the last couple of days. He’s looked great. Same Ja’Marr I’m used to. The plan will be to continue to practice with him.”

But Chase apparently shifted gears overnight, a potential signal of challenges in contract talks with the team. Owner Mike Brown said in training camp that signing Chase would be a priority, but he remained committed at that time to a franchise-held position not to negotiate during the season. Unless Brown and the Bengals — or Chase — are ready to budge, the clock is ticking.

“I think everyday is a new day,” Taylor said Wednesday. “We’ll keep working through it. I’m not going to make predictions on what tomorrow brings. At the end of the day, Ja’Marr is a great leader that means a lot to this team.”

Taylor said the situation is not a distraction, but a “one-off situation.”

“I think I probably put my foot in my mouth speaking too quickly. Again, this is a day-to-day situation,” Taylor said.

Taylor didn’t want to comment on whether the Bengals were concerned about Chase playing in the regular-season opener.

He said Chase would still be able to play even if he doesn’t practice the rest of this week.

“We’ve got really good players. What’s good about us is we have really good depth at the skill-position spot on offense,” Taylor said. “A lot of guys working in practice to get those reps. Of course we’d love for him to be practicing and getting those reps. But you’ve got to find the positives in the situation.”

Chase, 24, caught 100 passes for 1,216 yards and seven touchdowns last season and enters his fourth season with 268 receptions and 29 touchdowns. He’s scheduled to play on the fifth-year option on his contract with teammate Tee Higgins playing out the franchise tender on his deal after the Bengals allowed his contract to expire, then tagged him in March.

Waiting might come at a steep cost for Cincinnati. The price of business with wide receivers skyrocketed in the offseason.

His former LSU teammate Justin Jefferson reset the market with a four-year, $140 million contract ($35 million per season) that eclipsed the $32 million per year Eagles wideout A.J. Brown receives. Amon-Ra St. Brown signed a four-year deal worth $30.002 million per year with the Lions, and the Cowboys finally paid CeeDee Lamb’s asking price — four years, $136 million with $100 million guaranteed — this week to bring his offseason holdout to a close.

–Field Level Media

Cincinnati Bengals wide receiver Ja'Marr Chase (1) walks the field during warmups before the NFL Preseason Week 2 game between the Chicago Bears and the Cincinnati Bengals at Soldier Field in downtown Chicago on Saturday, Aug. 17, 2024.

Bengals WR Ja’Marr Chase returns to practice

Posted on | by Field Level Media

Cincinnati Bengals wide receiver Ja’Marr Chase participated in team practice for the first time during training camp on Sunday.

Chase has been the subject of a hold-in as he vies for a new contract. The three-time Pro Bowl selection is entering the fourth season of a four-year, $30.8 million rookie contract.

His former LSU teammate, Justin Jefferson of the Minnesota Vikings, reset the market in June with a four-year, $140 million contract ($35 million per season).

Chase, 24, caught 100 passes for 1,216 yards and seven touchdowns in 16 games last season. He enters his fourth season with 268 receptions for 3,717 yards and 29 scores.

The Bengals open their season against the visiting New England Patriots on Sept. 8.

–Field Level Media