Ja’Marr Chase is glad his “BS” contract is up (so are the Bengals)

The drama between the Bengals and receiver Ja’Marr Chase is over. And that’s good news for the Bengals.

First, Chase is once again fully committed to his team, even though he reportedly believes the team wasn’t honest with him about whether he would get a new contract this year.

“All the nonsense that happened this offseason and before the season, I’m just glad it’s over” Chase said Thursday, via Ben Baby of ESPN.com. “I’m finally playing ball and having fun with the boys. That’s the most important thing for me.”

Second, the Bengals will acquire Chase’s services in 2024 for just $4.8 million. Even though it will cost them more APY when he presumably signs a new contract in 2024, it doesn’t change the fact that they paid less than $5 million for one of the NFL’s best receivers for his fourth season.

Chase didn’t last out of training camp because he would have lost a $3.8 million roster bonus after three days. Ultimately, he considered not playing again in Week 1. He decided to join his teammates.

He is scheduled to make $21.8 million in 2025, the option year of his 2021 rookie deal. He could still turn down her best offer next year.

This year, we’re told the Bengals ultimately offered Chase a deal with a new-money average of $35 million per year, matching Vikings receiver Justin Jefferson. We were also told that the structure of the offer was not good.

Whether Chase signs in 2025 will largely depend on whether the team builds a better structure. Still, for now, the Bengals have managed to delay Chase’s massive raise and keep him in the first round for the designated amount of his rookie contract.