Apparently, Cincinnati Bengals wide receiver Ja’Marr Chase is giving up on his hold-in. Perhaps other star pass-catchers also seeking contract extensions will do the same.
Per NFL Media’s Tom Pelissero, Chase — who has two years left on his rookie deal — returned to practice on Sunday, even though he has yet to sign a new contract. Pelissero added this marks the first time the three-time Pro Bowler has worked with the Bengals in training camp.
NFL Media’s Mike Garafolo suggested Chase’s return to practice may put pressure on Dallas Cowboys WR CeeDee Lamb and San Francisco 49ers WR Brandon Aiyuk. (Each is entering the final year of their rookie contract.) Both wideouts need reps to get up to speed before the regular season, which starts on Sept. 5.
Lamb shared a video of himself working out on Friday (h/t: longtime Dallas sports radio personality Kevin Gray Jr.). However, he’s still holding out of training camp. Aiyuk, meanwhile, has reported to training camp, but hasn’t participated in practice, via The Athletic’s David Lombardi.
If Lamb or Aiyuk wants to sit out during games, they should think twice about this strategy. It doesn’t always work out.
Former Pittsburgh Steelers running back Le’Veon Bell sat out the entire 2018 season. The following offseason, he signed a four-year, $52.5M deal with the Jets, but New York released him in 2020. He only rushed for three touchdowns in 17 games with the club. After brief stints with the Baltimore Ravens, Kansas City Chiefs and Tampa Bay Buccaneers, the former first-team All-Pro never latched onto another team.
The Bengals, Cowboys and 49ers may not want to pay their star pass-catchers after Minnesota Vikings WR Justin Jefferson reset the market with a four-year, $140M deal. Regardless, they should find a way to reward them.
In a recent piece ranking the top 20 WRs in the NFL, Jordan Dajani of CBS Sports placed Aiyuk (No. 8), Chase (No. 4) and Lamb (No. 3) in his top 10.
