Bengals star Ja'Marr Chase participates in first full practice as contract dispute continues

Cincinnati Bengals star receiver Ja'Marr Chase finally suited up and participated in a full practice for the first time this training camp.

Chase, who had been absent from the preseason due to a contract dispute with the Bengals, was seen at practice with the rest of his teammates.

There has been no word on whether the long-term extension Chase has been seeking has been worked out with the front office.

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Bengals' Ja'Marr Chase reacts after making a catch against the Minnesota Vikings at Paycor Stadium in Cincinnati on Dec. 16, 2023. (Jeff Dean/Getty Images)

However, Chase has been at the team facility and there have been reports that he participated in some drills before Sunday's practice.

He hasn't participated in a full practice, though, but that streak ended today with Week 1 against the New England Patriots next on the schedule on Sept. 8.

Chase is entering his fourth NFL season and, like many star receivers this offseason, is looking to cash in after putting up solid numbers on his rookie contract, which was worth $30.8 million over four years.

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Several receivers were paid during the offseason, with Minnesota Vikings wideout Justin Jefferson, a former teammate of Chase's at LSU, getting the highest extension totaling $140 million over four years, which pays $35 million annually to lead the league at that position group.

The Detroit Lions paid Amon-Ra St. Brown (four years, $120 million), and the Philadelphia Eagles again extended AJ Brown's contract (three years, $96 million) to retain him through the 2029 season.

Now that the Bengals have picked up Chase's fifth-year option, he's expected to make $21.8 million next season. But given the prices he's been seeing for other top receivers around the league, he's looking to get a deal done before the year starts.

Bengals' Cole Burgess, left, and Ja'Marr Chase stand during mandatory minicamp at the IEL Indoor Facility in Cincinnati on June 12, 2024. (Dylan Buell/Getty Images)

He's not the only big-name receiver still seeking an extension, as Dallas Cowboys wide receiver CeeDee Lamb hasn't even reported to the facility this offseason as his contract dispute with owner Jerry Jones has come to light. The San Francisco 49ers are also still dealing with the Brandon Aiyuk situation.

But the Bengals and their fan base can feel a little better knowing that Chase has returned to team practices two weeks before the regular season begins. It's no secret how important Chase is to quarterback Joe Burrow, who signed a $275 million contract extension before the start of last season.

When Burrow and Chase are healthy — which wasn’t the case in 2023, as Burrow missed seven games due to a wrist injury — the Bengals’ offense is lethal. They reached the AFC Championship Game in back-to-back seasons in 2021 and 2022, reaching the Super Bowl once, where they were defeated by the Los Angeles Rams.

The Bengals hope to reach those heights again this season, and they'll need the playmaking skills Chase brings as the No. 1 receiver on the depth chart to do so.