Bengals HC: Ja'Marr Chase Day-to-Day amid Contract Rumors as WR Misses Practice

Cincinnati Bengals wide receiver Ja'Marr Chase did not attend practice Tuesday for the first time all training camp. Now comes word from head coach Zac Taylor that Chase's situation is "day-to-day" while refraining from adding further comments (h/t Kelsey Conway of the Cincinnati Enquirer).

Chase, in search of a long-term extension, has been "holding in" at Bengals training camp. He's showing up on a daily basis and helping out his teammates, like rookie wideout Jermaine Burton, but hasn't actively participated in drills and other activities.

There's no denying that Chase, who has two years left on his rookie deal, is worthy of a lucrative contract. The three-time Pro Bowler has amassed 268 receptions for 3,717 yards and 29 touchdowns in three seasons despite missing six games.

Other elite wide receivers have landed extensions, such as the Minnesota Vikings' Justin Jefferson (four years, $140 million) and the Philadelphia Eagles' A.J. Brown (three years, $96 million). Another notable superstar, the Dallas Cowboys' CeeDee Lamb, is holding out of camp entirely as he searches for a new deal.

The problem Chase faces is that the Bengals don't seem keen on offering him an extension this offseason.

"It's not so likely that this is the good time to negotiate," team president Mike Brown said before training camp on July 22 (h/t ESPN's Ben Baby). "The offseason is a better time for that and we're going to try to keep focused on the football part.

"I'm not going to rule anything out, but I will tell you that the die has probably been cast."

On the flip side, Brown does seem determined to get a contract done, albeit on the team's time.

"He's a key player next to Joe [Burrow]," Brown said. "He's our next one. He knows that. We know it. This may take a while. We are going to bend over backwards to get it done. I can't tell you when."

ESPN's Adam Schefter spoke more on the matter during his podcast (h/t Scotty White of ClutchPoints).

"The one again that just makes me wonder is the Bengals one right now. And we'll see if that's valid or not, I don't know that it is, but that's the one that I'm curious about because he's got a longer amount of time, because he's got a team that's seemingly, they could correct me if I'm wrong, seemingly less resistant to do an extension right now. And what does Ja'Marr Chase do if a deal is not in place in the coming days and weeks when the regular season is about to begin, we have not heard from him on that topic, he has not said anything. So it's just something to monitor and keep in mind."

The season is still about four weeks away, with the Bengals opening 2024 up with a home game against the New England Patriots on Sept. 8. At this time, there isn't any indication that Chase would miss any time. But it's certainly worth monitoring this "day-to-day" situation nonetheless given Chase's importance to the team.