The pads are on in Cincinnati as the Bengals continue training camp leading up to the first preseason game on August 10 against the Tampa Bay Buccaneers. Instead of focusing on Joe Burrow‘s strong practices after coming back from his wrist injury or discussing the playmaking ability of rookie Jermaine Burton, there seems to be a focus on Ja’Marr Chase who has elected to not practice with the team.
There’s been quite the hooplah surrounding the star receiver’s lack of participation in team practices. He hasn’t explicitly come out to say what the reasoning is but many speculate it is contract-related. Overall, this discussion is missing the point.
The Ja’Marr Chase Discussion is Missing the Point
With the fervor at which national pundits foam at the mouth at the sign of a Bengals player allegedly being disgruntled is concerning. Not nearly as concerning, however, as how quickly Bengals fans turn on their stars at the hint of adversity. Jessie Bates saw it. Tee Higgins saw it. Chase sees it.
Star wide receivers holding out is nothing new. Just go back 20 years, just about every notable wide receiver worth mentioning held out at least once. Chase is technically doing a “Hold In” because he’s at practice, just in street clothes. It’s not like he’s sitting at home, pouting. Chase is at practice, interacting with fans and teammates, and putting in individual work on the side after practice is done.
For everyone so concerned about Ja’Marr Chase, here is him doing drills at practice, my guess is he’s trying to avoid contact rnpic.twitter.com/qwL9EGytA8
— NotJermaineBurton (@TylerBoydSzn) July 29, 2024
Chase is one of the best players in the NFL, regardless of position. He’s due to be paid like the top receiver and is eligible for an extension right now. He is likely just preserving his body. Think back to 2019, the lost season it was. The Bengals practiced up in Dayton and A.J. Green tore ligaments in his ankle on the first day of Training Camp. He missed the entire season and really never got back to the level he was at earlier in his career.
Other Asinine Comments
Now, much ire is thrown the way of ownership. Usually, this is justified. However, in the case of Chase vs. the Bengals brass, there isn’t as much of a rift as people make it seem.
“Mike Brown is too cheap to pay!”
This take is thrown around often. However, it ignores the fact that the Bengals paid Carson Palmer, Andy Dalton, and Joe Burrow all while paying Chad Johnson, A.J. Green, and, soon, Ja’Marr Chase. And that was before the salary cap ballooned.
If the Bengals thought Chase was going to be too expensive for them, they would have paid Higgins and used the tag on Chase in 2026, his scheduled first year of free agency. The Bengals take care of their playmakers. Letting Marvin Jones walk is not quite the same.
They’ll “bend over backwards” to get it done.
“We are going to bend over backwards to make it happen. I can’t tell you when it’s going to get done.”#Bengals owner Mike Brown touches on Ja’Marr Chase contract conversations.
“The reel has been cast.” | @WLWT pic.twitter.com/27FgqwvFxN
— Olivia Ray (@OliviaRayTV) July 22, 2024
Another odd comment is that Chase needs to practice so he doesn’t enter 2024 rusty.
This is Ja’Marr Chase we’re talking about, right? He’s one of the top athletes in the league and the chemistry he shares with his franchise quarterback is unmatched. If there is anyone on the team who can afford to suit up for Week 1 without practicing, it’s Chase.
Plus, again, he’s not going in cold. Chase is running individual drills off to the side and working out like normal.
He’s going to be fine.
Rankings Aren’t Worried
Aside from the frankly ridiculous NFL Top 100 ranking by the NFL Network that placed Chase 45th, most pundits agree that he is one of the top players in the NFL and is nearly quarterback-proof, as evidenced by last year.
CBSSports has Chase ranked 13th (WR3):
“Even with Joe Burrow missing time, Chase had a big season for the Bengals in 2023. He had a career-best 100 catches with seven touchdowns. Expect the Bengals to lock him up with a big contract soon. (Last season: No. 16)”
Full rankings here.
NFLTradeRumors ranked Chase 15th:
“Chase battled through some less-than-ideal circumstances to record a strong statistical season in 2023. He set a new career high with 100 receptions that went for 1,216 yards. His catch rate of 69 percent was also a career-best, though it was helped by a career-low depth of target. He had the fewest drops and best contested catch rate of his career.
The frustrations from last year can be seen in the stats too, however. Chase’s seven touchdowns were the fewest in his three years, as was his 76 yards per game (though that still ranked 12th among all wideouts). Chase’s overall score of 66 in ESPN’s receiver tracking metrics was the lowest of his career (though it was 19th out of 153 wideouts).
Chase’s total package of skills still puts him near the top of the pecking order when it comes to receivers but you get the sense there’s still untapped potential to his game that he and the Bengals hope to reach this upcoming season.”
Full rankings here.
ProFootballNetwork has Chase ranked 17th:
“Ja’Marr Chase has been everything the Bengals hoped for and more since he entered the NFL in 2021.
He’s tied for second in receiving touchdowns (29) and ranks seventh in receiving yards (3,717) during that span. He should become one of the league’s highest-paid WRs on his next contract.
Only five receivers — including Randy Moss, Jerry Rice, and Odell Beckham Jr. — scored more touchdowns than Chase over their first three pro seasons.”
Full rankings here.
LastWordOnSports ranked Chase 18th:
“If Burrow had been healthy in 2023, Chase would have been top ten. Instead, he dealt with subpar quarterback play and his fantasy football outlook is strong, to say the least. For more proof, take a peek at these 2024 Bengals projections.”
Full rankings here.
Sportsnaut has Chase ranked 20th:
“Ja’Marr Chase played like an All-Pro receiver even without Joe Burrow under center. He made the most of a bad situation, eclipsing 1,000 receiving yards for the third consecutive year. While Chase hasn’t replicated his rookie success (1,455 receiving yards and 13 touchdowns), he is one of the best playmakers in the NFL today. He’s also worth $35 million per season, like Justin Jefferson.”
Full rankings here.
Ja’Marr Chase will be fine.
Main Image: Albert Cesare/The Enquirer / USA TODAY NETWORK
