If these Ja’Marr Chase contract demands are true, then the Bengals should easily get a deal done

As crazy as the numbers look, the value of Chase will continue to rise.

As the final preseason game quickly approaches for the Cincinnati Bengals, there has still been no Ja’Marr Chase this summer.

Although Chase has not practiced or played in the preseason, he has been at each practice and even traveled with the team to Chicago.

That being said, it is fair to think that negotiations are taking place behind closed doors between both parties to obtain a long-term extension.

A report from Local 12’s Richard Skinner came out earlier today, with some eye-popping contract numbers looming in the Bengals world.

If this were to happen, this would be the largest wide receiver contract in the history of football, surpassing Vikings star Justin Jefferson.

AtoZ Sports writer John Sheeran does a perfect job explaining Chase’s current contract situation on his rookie deal and even goes into depth about what the numbers would become with this contract option.

“The reported numbers from Skinner are what would be added to Chase’s existing contract. He’s scheduled to make $26,678,679 in cash over the next two years, and when factoring in the signing bonus that’s been prorated throughout the life of his rookie contract, the total cap figure of both years is $31,622,250,” Sheeran stated.

“Two years and $31,622,250 plus four years and $160 million comes out to six years, $191,622,250 in terms of total cap commitments for the Bengals. The real cash value that Chase would earn is $186,678,679. There may be $40 million per year in new money, but the real average annual value (AAV) is all the way down at $31,113,113.”

That reported number ends up being less than Justin Jefferson’s current AAV, which is $31,948,600.

If this deal can get done before the upcoming season, Chase would be locked down in Cincinnati for at least another six seasons, which gives the Bengals plenty of time to pay that four-year extension in full.

For those who say the numbers are way too high and unfair, Joe Goodberry has a simple and powerful rebuttal that all fans should read.

Easy. Get the deal done and keep Burrow and Chase together for the long-term future.