Bengals are waiting for the shoe to drop with an All-Pro before making their next big move

Ja'Marr Chase and Justin Jefferson accomplished amazing things together as LSU teammates. They were the key components in a revolutionary passing game led by quarterback Joe Burrow, and designed by pass game coordinator Joe Brady. Jefferson left to dominate the NFL first, and Chase followed him a year later to do the same.  

Years have passed since their time together as Bayou Bengals, and now that Chase is with the Cincinnati Bengals, he'll be following Jefferson once more in a different fashion.

Latest on Ja'Marr Chase's contract extension

Chase wrapped up his third season with the Bengals in 2023 and is now eligible to sign a long-term contract with the franchise. The deal is expected to be the largest for a wide receiver when it's finalized, and he'll have his former teammate to thank for that.

At this week's league meetings, Kelsey Conway of Cincinnati.com reported that the Bengals have not begun contract extension talks with Chase because both sides are waiting until Jefferson signs his new contract with the Minnesota Vikings. 

As expected, Chase will want to top Jefferson's deal, which is expected to be done sometime this year.

"This isn’t a reflection of how the Bengals feel about Chase, though. It’s largely because Chase is waiting to see what type of deal Minnesota Vikings wide receiver Justin Jefferson will receive. Until the Bengals know the market, it makes little sense for them to engage in conversations. The Vikings and Jefferson engaged in contract negotiations last offseason but were unable to reach an agreement. That’s expected to change this year." - Cincinnati.com's Kelsey Conway 

That the Bengals have accepted this is a good sign for both sides to agree upon a deal when the time comes. They're prepared for Chase's camp to ask for more than what Jefferson will eventually get from the Vikings, and having that deal as the agreed upon starting point should make for relatively simple negotiations. Look at what's happened with Tee Higgins and the Bengals for an example of the opposite.

Of course, negotiating a groundbreaking extension is anything but simple. The Bengals barely got Joe Burrow's deal done before the 2023 regular season began.  A.J. Green, the Bengals' No. 1 receiver prior to Chase arriving on the scene, signed his second contract right before the 2015 season kicked off. 

The larger the deal, the more time it typically takes for Cincinnati. There's no reason to expect anything different with Chase.

Jefferson's deal may not arrive until late this offseason, and the Bengals don't normally negotiate with players during the season. So long as Jefferson signs before Week 1, the front office will have the entire 2025 offseason to work things out with Chase.

It may cost them more in the long run as he'll look to take home more than Jefferson, but that's how the Bengals have traditionally handled paying their best players. Chase is no exception.