Sun Sep 15 11:04:19 UTC 2024: ## Bengals WR Ja’Marr Chase Feels Misled by Contract Talks, Contract Stalemate Continues

**Cincinnati, OH** – Ja’Marr Chase, star wide receiver for the Cincinnati Bengals, is reportedly unhappy with the way contract negotiations have unfolded with the team. According to ESPN.com, Chase feels misled by the Bengals, who approached him about a contract extension multiple times during the offseason but ultimately did not deliver.

Despite not initiating any contract talks, Chase was led to believe a deal was imminent after the Bengals brought up the extension twice – once at his exit interview in January and again at the NFL Combine in February. This led Chase to believe a contract would be finalized before the start of the 2024 season, which ultimately did not happen.

While the Bengals reportedly offered Chase a contract that would have tied him with Justin Jefferson as the highest-paid receiver in the NFL, Chase rejected it due to the structure of the guarantees.

Chase has stated that he will not negotiate a long-term deal during the season unless the situation changes. The Bengals have a history of avoiding contract negotiations during the season, with only one exception in 2015 with Andrew Whitworth.

While Chase won’t be leaving Cincinnati anytime soon due to his current contract, his frustration with the situation was evident during training camp, where he sat out the entire time. His representatives even threatened to have him sit out the first two games of the season, though cooler heads prevailed.

Despite the ongoing contract stalemate, Chase played in the Bengals’ Week 1 loss to the New England Patriots and will be available for their game against the Kansas City Chiefs this week.

While both sides remain hopeful for a resolution, it seems unlikely a deal will be reached during the season.

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