Schefter: Ja’Marr Chase has completed negotiations with the Bengals until the end of the season

The Cincinnati Bengals will face the Kansas City Chiefs this afternoon at Arrowhead Stadium to even their record at 1-1. But before we Sit back and let yourself be carried away by enjoy the game, there is some frustrating breaking news to discuss.

Late Friday night, ESPN’s Adam Schefter reported that star wide receiver Ja’Marr Chase had not only completed negotiations with the team through the end of the 2024 season, but that he also felt abandoned by the franchise after failing to reach a contract extension in the offseason.

“Sources say the star wide receiver believes the Bengals misled him when they told him at the end of last season and again in the offseason that he would get a contract extension, which ultimately did not happen,” Schefter wrote. “To back up his word and strengthen his position, Chase also took out a $50 million insurance policy on himself for this season to protect himself against injuries and potential loss of earnings. As one source said of Chase, he’s fine with the insurance policy.”

Chase’s rookie contract still has a year left, but the Bengals have already activated Chase’s optional fifth year, which will bring in an estimated $21.8 million in salary. The Bengals, resigned to the fact that they can’t keep two star wide receivers long-term, obviously chose Chase over Tee Higgins, who is finishing his final year in Cincinnati with the franchise tag. The fact that the team still can’t get a deal done with Chase despite their choice is frustrating to say the least.

There’s still plenty of time to get a deal done, though. The Bengals technically have two offseasons left, but the longer they wait, the higher Chase’s demands will be.

What do you think, Bengals fans? Is this even news?