NFL Insiders: Ja'Marr Chase 'Strikes More Fear' in Teams Than Justin Jefferson

NFL teams may dislike game-planning against Cincinnati Bengals wide receiver Ja'Marr Chase more than even Minnesota Vikings wideout Justin Jefferson, according to ESPN's Jeremy Fowler.

"Though Justin Jefferson has been the consensus top receiver over the past two years, many scouts and coaches believe Chase strikes more fear in opponents because of his big-play ability," Fowler wrote.

Chase is in pole position in the triple crown race with 73 catches for 1,056 receiving yards and 12 touchdowns through 11 games.

Jefferson meanwhile has made 59 catches for 1,056 receiving yards and five receiving touchdowns through ten games with the Vikings.

Chase's performance in what could end up being a career season hasn't translated to on-field success for the 4-7 Bengals.

Most recently, Chase hauled in seven catches for 75 yards and two touchdowns to power Cincinnati back from a 27-6 third-quarter deficit to a tied game on Sunday against the Los Angeles Chargers.

Two missed field goals and a late Chargers touchdown led the Bengals short of what would have been the largest road comeback in franchise history.

The contest nonetheless served as proof of Chase's status as a game-changer and raises questions about how the Bengals plan to handle his upcoming contract expiration.

Chase is set to play the 2025 season on a $21.8 million club option. The wideout held out from practice this offseason before returning without an extension, and the Bengals seem unlikely to get him on the field without a longer-term contract a second time around.

Fowler reported that the belief around the NFL is that the Bengals and Chase were "close" to agreeing on average annual value for the extension prior to the season, but guarantees were the sticking point in the negotiations.

"The feeling here is Cincinnati lets Tee Higgins walk in free agency and allocates resources for Chase... If not, expect Chase to stay far away from the team for a while," Fowler wrote.

Should Chase continue establishing himself as one of the most difficult receivers to play against, he could put himself on track to set a positional record with his next deal. Jefferson currently holds the most lucrative contract of any wideout in NFL history thanks to the four-year, $140 million extension he signed in June.