NFL Rumors: Ja'Marr Chase Present for Bengals' Mandatory Minicamp amid Contract Talks

As other wide receivers around the NFL have decided to skip their team's minicamp in search of a new contract, Ja'Marr Chase showed up for the start of Cincinnati Bengals' mandatory minicamp on Tuesday.

Per NFL Network's Ian Rapoport, Chase is at the Bengals' facilities today after taking part in a media session on Monday.

Chase, along with Tee Higgins, both skipped organized team activities last month as they seek long-term contract extensions.

Rapoport noted Higgins, who has not signed the franchise tender, is not with the Bengals. He is also not subject to fines because he's not currently under contract.

Skipping OTAs doesn't come at a cost to the players since it is a voluntary activity. Skipping mandatory minicamp would have cost Chase up to $101,716 in fines if he missed all three days.

ESPN's Jeff Darlington reported on SportsCenter last week in the aftermath of Justin Jefferson's extension with the Minnesota Vikings that Chase's contract is the "priority" for the Bengals right now.

Jefferson signed a four-year, $140 million deal that makes him the highest-paid non-quarterback in NFL history. His $35 million annual salary is $3 million more than any other wide receiver in the league right now.

Chase's rookie contract runs through the 2025 season after the Bengals picked up his fifth-year option in April. He will earn $21.8 million fully guaranteed in the final season of the deal.

The 24-year-old Chase has certainly earned an extension that would pay him like one of the top receivers in the NFL. He has surpassed the 1,000-yard mark in each of his first three seasons and caught 29 touchdowns in 45 games.

Cincinnati doesn't have to get a deal done this offseason because Chase is signed for two more seasons, but the market for receivers is only going up that it would be in the team's best interest to work something out sooner than later.