(Photo by Gregory Shamus/Getty Images)
The start of the 2024 NFL season is only days away, with the defending Super Bowl champion Kansas City Chiefs set to get things underway by hosting the Baltimore Ravens in a rematch of the AFC Championship Game.
As for the Cincinnati Bengals, their season starts when they host the New England Patriots, with many anticipating an easy win for Joe Burrow and company to open the 2024 campaign.
Although the Bengals are likely to take advantage of a rebuilding New England squad, Cincinnati has a major distraction right now, with superstar wide receiver Ja’Marr Chase still looking to secure a lucrative long-term contract extension before the opener.
Contract talks between the two sides haven’t gone well to this point, with no telling what will happen in the coming days.
Bengals head coach Zac Taylor is maintaining a patient stance, but there seems to be a chance Chase could miss the first game of the season without a new deal.
According to ESPN’s Adam Schefter, Taylor continued using the company line when discussing Chase’s status for Week 1 against the Patriots.
“We’ll just take it day by day,” Taylor said.
Bengals HC Zac Taylor on whether WR Ja’Marr Chase will play Sunday vs. the Patriots: “We’ll just take it day by day.” pic.twitter.com/oPLD51T3Vn
— Adam Schefter (@AdamSchefter) September 2, 2024
Please play my fantasy team needs you
— Josh Downs WR1 (@jekluFF) September 2, 2024
we need bro out on the field ASAP
— The Boys Do Sports – Podcast (@TheBoysDoSports) September 2, 2024
That Doesn’t Sound Too Positive
— Brenden Jafri (@BrendenJafri) September 2, 2024
That’s a “No.”
— GC (@GCDCBB17) September 2, 2024
Even though Chase is one of the main reasons the Bengals are such a high-powered offense when Burrow is under center, they don’t seem to be in a hurry to come to terms with the wideout, who has two seasons remaining on his existing contract.
Not only is Chase upset about his contract situation right now, after watching many other wide receivers around the NFL get paid this offseason, but Burrow probably is also miffed that things haven’t been settled so close to the start of the 2024 campaign.
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