Around the AFC North: Mike Tomlin Agrees to Three-Year Extension

The Bengals will hold their mandatory minicamp this week, and the contract status of star wide receiver Ja’Marr Chase remains a hot topic.

Chase is looking for a massive deal after averaging 1,239 yards receiving in his first three seasons. Vikings wide receiver Justin Jefferson re-set the bar for top wide receivers after signing a four-year, $140 million extension with the Minnesota Vikings last week.

It remains to be seen if Chase will participate in mandatory minicamp, but Head Coach Zac Taylor said he and Chase are in a good place.

“I’ve talked with Ja’Marr,” Taylor said, via WCPO and Pro Football Talk. “I won’t get into our conversations, but we’ve had great dialogue.”

Chase has been a Pro Bowler in all three seasons and is coming off a career-high 100 receptions last year. The Bengals placed the franchise tag on No. 2 wide receiver Tee Higgins this offseason when they were unable to reach a long-term agreement with him. Higgins is the only one of nine players who received franchise/transition tags in 2024 who hasn’t been inked to a long-term extension.

Re-signing Chase is viewed as the Bengals’ top priority at this point, and Jefferson’s deal may have increased what it will take to sign Chase. Taylor recognizes that Chase is in excellent bargaining position.

“It’s a good time to be a receiver,” Taylor said.