Bengals' Ja'Marr Chase Shows Up to Practice in Street Clothes Amid Contract Rumors

Cincinnati Bengals star receiver Ja'Marr Chase showed up to Wednesday's practice, but maybe not the way the team had hoped.

The 24-year-old was seen in street clothes at Bengals practice, continuing his hold-in over not receiving a contract extension this offseason:

Rather than holding out completely, Chase attended training camp but chose not to participate in practice. It looked like he was ending the hold-in when he participated in Cincinnati's light practices this week.

Wednesday's session was meant to be the first full practice for the team as it continues its ramp-up for the Sept. 8 season opener against the New England Patriots.

Bengals head coach Zac Taylor said Tuesday that he expected Chase to continue to be involved in the team's preparations for the 2024 season and for him to play in Week 1.

Missing Wednesday's practice could change those plans, as Taylor is now noncommittal on the LSU product's status for the opener and described him as "day-to-day" while speaking to reporters:

Chase has two years remaining on his contract, but he's hoping to take advantage of the booming wide receiver market that saw massive deals handed out this offseason to the likes of Justin Jefferson of the Minnesota Vikings and CeeDee Lamb of the Dallas Cowboys.

He has been selected to the Pro Bowl in each of his first three years in the NFL, and he's the focal point of Cincinnati's offense as the primary target of star quarterback Joe Burrow. However, it appears that the Bengals prefer to wait until next year to reward him with a new deal.

Chase may have been sending a message on Wednesday that the team is in danger of opening the 2024 season without its No. 1 wide receiver.