Star wideout Ja’Marr Chase is skipping workouts alongside Tee Higgins and could seek a trade this offseason. According to a report, the two stars are holding out of OTA’s as Chase is projected to earn $21.8 million guaranteed for the 2025 season. It was a no-brainer for the Bengals to pick up his option after making a third Pro Bowl at 24. In 16 games, he was able to catch 100 passes for 1,216 and seven touchdowns.
Pro Football Reference said his depth of target (8.4) and average per reception before making a catch (6.8) were career lows. However, those numbers were low due to Joe Burrow missing the rest of last season with an injury. Chase is still a top-10 wideout but the Bengals have to make some changes. They can’t afford to have Chase and Higgins on the same roster with mega contracts unless there is some sacrifice.
However, it’s looking like they’ll be safe with Chase while Higgins is already requesting a trade. It doesn’t look like Higgins will be playing this season without a new deal so the Bengals have some thinking to do. The hard part is that Chase’s market value goes up annually which could become unaffordable so they may have to think long-term. Spotrac predicts his value at $26.1 million while they anticipate the receiver market evolves.
This comes after Amon-Ra St. Brown and the Lions agreed on a four-year extension worth more than $120 million. However, Chase is waiting on Justin Jefferson to strike a deal which CeeDee Lamb is doing too. The Bengals are going to be in trouble either way to see who they will keep or trade this offseason. Jefferson may be the receiver to shake up the whole market again which wouldn’t be good for teams financially.
Star Wideout Ja’Marr Chase Skipping Workouts, Could Shockingly Seek Trade
Higgins or Chase?
It’s hard to imagine to see any of these star wideouts walking out away from Cincinnati. The Bengals are already in a lot of doubt this offseason at OTA’s while mandatory camp is next month. The real trouble begins if both receivers hold out to get the extension they want. Higgins said he’s willing to play out this whole year but it would be foolish for the Bengals not to give him a contract this season.
Higgins would be free to walk to whatever team is willing to give him a contract. Keep in mind that they can’t keep both star receivers since both might be cost-prohibitive in the long term. Chase is already teasing the team that he would love for a deal to be done for him this offseason and would like his money up-front. He was already coy about the fact of taking less money to keep Higgins around the team.
They may have to pick between the two this offseason which leaves the third option of trading Chase. They may be better off allocating resources to trade him instead of Higgins while the time is here. However, it doesn’t seem possible since Burrow and Chase have a strong relationship. Here are some potential trade fits for Chase.
Potential Trade Fits
These will likely be dream scenarios since Chase doesn’t look to be going anywhere this offseason but anything can happen. The Kansas City Chiefs are still in a market for a receiver so they could shock the league by teaming Chase with Patrick Mahomes. It doesn’t seem likely since both teams have animosity towards each other but never say never. Rashee Rice doesn’t appear to be a long-term solution with his legal troubles so they could make Chase the No. 1 receiver.
However, after extending Rashod Bateman, the Ravens are still looking for a slot receiver to help Zay Flowers. It would do Lamar Jackson some good for him to have Flowers and Chase on both opposite ends. The Ravens can only dream but it’s hard to imagine the Bengals sending him to a bitter rival. The Panthers are still trying to find a long-term wideout to accommodate after trading for Diontae Johnson.
They could make one final splash move to give Bryce Young the best set of new toys in his second year with Chase.
