Bengals star may miss season opener against Patriots
Star Cincinnati Bengals wide receiver Ja’Marr Chase may not play in the season opener against the New England Patriots this Sunday.
On Sunday, the new-look New England Patriots offense will take the field for the first time in a regular season game, in the season opener against the Cincinnati Bengals. On the other side is a star-studded Bengals offense that has proven it can be elite, but the team is still working to make sure it has all those stars available for Week 1.
Wide receiver Ja’Marr Chase has been holding out since the start of training camp as he looks for a new deal. The 2021 first-round pick is entering the final concrete year of his contract, and is set to play under the fifth-year option in 2025. He last practiced before roster cuts, and did not take part in the team’s first practice of Week 1 on Monday.
“We’ll just take day to day,” Bengals head coach Zac Taylor told reporters when asked on Monday if he expects Chase to play on Sunday. Taylor did add that – although Chase hasn’t practice – he does believe his star receiver would be ready for a game. “It’s impossible for me to say with 100% conviction, but I feel good about the shape that he’s in,” Taylor said.
Chase is reportedly looking to be among the highest-paid receivers in the NFL. Multiple big deals for star wideouts this offseason reset the market, including Justin Jefferson getting four years, $140 million from the Minnesota Vikings, CeeDee Lamb getting four years, $136 million from the Dallas Cowboys, and Brandon Aiyuk getting four years, $120 million from the San Francisco 49ers.
Even if Chase doesn’t play though, the Patriots will still have their hands full. Quarterback Joe Burrow is back after missing the end of last season with a wrist injury. He’ll still be throwing to Tee Higgins – who had his own contract situation this offseason – Charlie Jones, and rookie Jermaine Burton.
