Cincinnati Bengals head coach Zac Taylor said Tuesday that he expects wide receiver Ja’Marr Chase to be on the field in Week 1 when the team opens its season against the New England Patriots.
Asked if he was confident the three-time Pro Bowler would be ready to play on Sept. 8, Taylor replied simply: “Yeah.”
Chase did not play in any of the Bengals’ preseason games as he seeks to renegotiate his contract, which has two years remaining on his rookie deal.
The 24-year-old returned to practice and participated in two sessions this week and will continue with that plan as the Patriots game approaches.
“I think this gives you an idea of what the situation is going to be like for us,” Taylor said. “It’s been good to have him back in the fight these last few days.”
Chase has amassed 3,717 receiving yards and 29 touchdowns in his first three NFL seasons. After seeing contracts handed out to the Dallas Cowboys’ CeeDee Lamb and the Minnesota Vikings’ Justin Jefferson, in addition to those given to members of his 2021 draft class (Miami’s Jaylen Waddle, Detroit’s Amon-Ra St. Brown and Philadelphia’s DeVonta Smith), the LSU product looks to capitalize on a productive start to his NFL career.
The Bengals exercised Chase’s fifth-year option in April, which will see his salary increase in 2025 from $1.1 million this upcoming season up to $21.8 million fully guaranteedunless an extension is agreed.
In 2023, Chase caught a career-high 100 balls, tying for second in a season in Bengals history. He is also one of only eight players in NFL history to reach 1,000 receiving yards in each of their first three seasons.