Bengals' Zac Taylor Confident Ja'Marr Chase Will Play Week 1 amid Contract Rumors

Ja'Marr Chase sat out much of training camp with questions about a potential long-term contract extension looming, but there doesn't seem to be much doubt that he will be on the field for Week 1 now that he has returned to practice.

"Yes," Cincinnati Bengals head coach Zac Taylor told reporters Tuesday when asked if he is confident the wide receiver will play against the New England Patriots.

Chase was holding-in during training camp, although NFL Network's Tom Pelissero reported he returned to practice Sunday even though there was no new contract.

Michael Baca of NFL.com noted he "has been looking to get compensated as one of the league's top play-making wideouts" even though he is signed through the 2025 campaign. Cincinnati's wide receiver room has been under the spotlight this offseason, as Tee Higgins is playing the 2024 season on the franchise tag and could leave next offseason.

That Chase wants a new deal isn't a surprise given the movement in the wide receiver market this offseason.

Justin Jefferson reset the market with a contract that pays him an annual average of $35 million. CeeDee Lamb is right behind him at $34 million, A.J. Brown is third at $32 million, Amon-Ra St. Brown is fourth at $30 million and Jaylen Waddle is sixth at $28.3 million.

All of them signed new deals this offseason.

By comparison, Chase is set to make $1.1 million in base salary this year before that number jumps to $21.8 million next year.

He is quite underpaid compared to his peers given his production. The No. 5 overall pick of the 2021 NFL draft counts an Offensive Rookie of the Year, three Pro Bowl nods and three campaigns of more than 1,000 receiving yards in his first three seasons in the league.

Chase is a clear-cut No. 1 option and has established chemistry with quarterback Joe Burrow, who also threw him passes when they were in college at LSU.

Cincinnati will surely have to offer quite a lucrative contract to keep him for the foreseeable future, but it can take solace knowing all indications are he will be on the field when the new season begins on Sept. 8.