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The Bengals are currently without two key players in training camp, and there are no indications that this will change anytime soon.
One of these players is wide receiver Ja’Marr Chase, who has not participated in practice since the start of camp. Despite this, head coach Zac Taylor stated that he and Chase are in agreement.
The exact nature of their agreement is unclear, but Chase’s absence is likely related to his contract situation.
Chase is currently set to earn just $1.055M in base salary this year, despite his impressive performance of 268 catches for 3,717 yards and 29 touchdowns since being drafted as the 5th overall pick in 2021.
His former LSU teammate, Justin Jefferson, recently became the highest-paid non-quarterback in the NFL, setting a precedent for potential earnings for players like Chase.
Nevertheless, team owner Mike Brown has suggested that a new contract for Chase may not be on the horizon.
“This may take a while,” Brown stated. “It’s not the ideal time for negotiations. Offseason would be more appropriate. We need to stay focused on football. While anything is possible, it’s likely that a decision has already been made.”
If Cincinnati is unwilling to meet Chase’s contract demands this season, it may be some time before he returns to the field.
The second absent player is defensive end Trey Hendrickson, who participated in the first day of training camp but has missed the following three practices.
The 29-year-old had requested a trade in April, as he has no guaranteed money remaining in his contract for the next two years. However, he has since expressed his desire to remain with the Bengals for the long term.
Despite his impressive performance of 17.5 sacks in 2023, Hendrickson is currently set to earn $15M this season and $16M in 2025, indicating that he may be seeking a higher salary.
The timeline for the return of either player has not been disclosed, but the team being without its top receiver and pass rusher is less than ideal.
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