The Cincinnati Bengals’ 2024 season opener against the New England Patriots is five days away, and their best receiver is not on the practice field. Ja’Marr Chase has continued his hold-in for the majority of training camp, and coach Zac Taylor said they will be taking it “day by day.” Well, there aren’t many days left before meaningful football will be played.
So, should Bengals fans panic about Chase potentially holding out? Ochocinco predicted Chase would hold out if he doesn’t get his new contract before Sunday, because it’s “the only way to get deals done,” according to him. At the same time, Ochocinco expressed optimism that Chase will sign a deal before Sept. 8. According to a recent report from ESPN, the Bengals have intensified their efforts to get a deal done with Chase, and there’s precedent to believe one will get done.
When Geno Atkins signed his five-year extension in 2013, it came on Sept. 2. When A.J. Green signed a four-year extension in 2015, that came on Sept. 11 — before the Bengals boarded buses to travel for their season opener. How about Joe Burrow? Remember when the star quarterback signed his record deal the day of the 2023 NFL season opener? Who’s to say Chase won’t put pen to paper five minutes from now?
With all that being said, the threat of a Chase holdout is a legitimate one. If that were to happen, who would step up for Burrow and the Bengals? Let’s take a look:
Higgins would be Burrow’s de facto No. 1 wideout if Chase held out, and he’s very capable of playing well in that role. In 2023, Higgins statistically had his worst NFL season due to rib and hamstring injuries, but the former No. 33 overall pick recorded back-to-back 1,000-yard receiving campaigns in 2021 and 2022, and his 3,684 career receiving yards rank sixth-most through four NFL seasons in Bengals franchise history.
Higgins is a big perimeter target at 6-foot-4, who can also stretch…
Source link : https://www.cbssports.com/nfl/news/jamarr-chase-contract-heres-who-could-step-up-if-star-bengals-wideout-doesnt-play-in-week-1/
Author : Jordan Dajani
Publish date : 2024-09-03 17:15:55
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