Ja'Marr Chase contract: Here is who may step up if star Bengals wideout would not play in Week 1

The Cincinnati Bengals‘ 2024 season opener in opposition to the New England Patriots is 5 days away, and their greatest receiver isn’t on the apply subject. Ja’Marr Chase has continued his hold-in for almost all of coaching camp, and coach Zac Taylor mentioned they are going to be taking it “day-to-day.” Nicely, there aren’t many days left earlier than significant soccer will likely be performed.

So, ought to Bengals followers panic about Chase doubtlessly holding out? Former Cincinnati star Chad Johnson predicted Chase would hold out if he would not get his new contract earlier than Sunday, as a result of it is “the one approach to get offers accomplished,” based on him. On the identical time, Johnson expressed optimism that Chase will signal a deal earlier than Sept. 8. According to a recent report from ESPN, the Bengals have intensified their efforts to get a deal accomplished with Chase, and there is precedent to imagine one will get accomplished.

When Geno Atkins signed his five-year extension in 2013, it got here on Sept. 2. When A.J. Inexperienced signed a four-year extension in 2015, that got here on Sept. 11 — earlier than the Bengals boarded buses to journey for his or her season opener. How about Joe Burrow? Keep in mind when the star quarterback signed his document deal the day of the 2023 NFL season opener? Who’s to say Chase will not put pen to paper 5 minutes from now?

With all that being mentioned, the specter of a Chase holdout is a official one. If that had been to occur, who would step up for Burrow and the Bengals? Let’s have a look: 

Higgins can be Burrow’s de facto No. 1 wideout if Chase held out, and he is very able to taking part in properly in that function. In 2023, Higgins statistically had his worst NFL season on account of rib and hamstring accidents, however the former No. 33 general choose recorded back-to-back 1,000-yard receiving campaigns in 2021 and 2022, and his 3,684 profession receiving yards rank sixth-most by way of 4 NFL seasons in Bengals franchise historical past.

Higgins is an enormous perimeter goal at 6-foot-4, who may also stretch the sphere. He is making an attempt to indicate the NFL world in 2024 that he is value No. 1 cash, and a Chase holdout can be an ideal alternative for him to shine.

Everyone knows who Higgins is, so maybe the most effective reply to “who will change Chase ought to he maintain out” is Burton. The Bengals chosen the previous Alabama wideout within the third spherical at No. 80 general this yr, and CBS Sports activities NFL Draft skilled Chris Trapasso declared it the most effective picks of Cincinnati’s draft — grading it an “A”: 

Among the finest vertical threats within the class. Tracks it like an outfielder and might actually separate on intricate routes deep. Minimal YAC. Good depth choice who may step into bigger function in 2025 if Tee Higgins bolts. 

The Georgia switch caught 79 passes for 1,475 yards and 15 touchdowns in 26 video games performed for the Crimson Tide. As Trapasso talked about, Burton can stretch the sphere for Burrow, and proved it within the preseason. In his first NFL motion, Burton led the Bengals with 82 receiving yards and a landing on three receptions. He completed the preseason with eight receptions for 157 yards and two touchdowns. In case you’re not good at math, Burton averaged 19.6 yards per reception in three exhibition video games. 

The hype round Burton is for actual. PFF even declared him their highest-graded offensive rookie within the preseason.

The previous sixth-round select of Princeton caught 15 passes for 116 yards and 4 touchdowns as a rookie, however in his first profession begin vs. the Cleveland Browns within the regular-season finale, Iosivas caught 5 passes for 36 yards and two touchdowns. 

He has been seen as the favourite to interchange Tyler Boyd at WR3 within the slot, and a number of studies from camp indicated Iosivas was constantly standing out on the apply subject. Perhaps for Week 1, he is the extra trusted goal for Burrow in comparison with the rookie Burton.