Team president Mike Brown said Monday that the Bengals will “bend backwards” to sign Ja’Marr Chase, but he also indicated it won’t be anytime soon.
This will only cost the Bengals more money, and expect Cowboys receiver CeeDee Lamb to get an extension sooner rather than later.
Brown said “opportunities can come unexpectedly,” so he wouldn’t rule out a deal with the three-time Pro Bowler. But with training camp starting Tuesday, he admitted an extension is unlikely.
“It’s not all that likely this is a good time to trade,” Brown said, via ESPN’s Ben Baby. “O the off season is a better time for this and we will try to keep the focus on the football part.
“I’m not going to rule anything out, but I will say the die has probably already been cast.”
Chase did not participate in the team’s voluntary offseason program, and although he attended mandatory minicamp, he did not participate in team practices.
The expectation is that he will get a similar deal to Justin Jefferson, who signed a four-year contract worth $140 million, including $110 million in guarantees.
