Ja'Marr Chase and the Cincinnati Bengals are NOT CLOSE to a deal? NFL Combine reactions | OTB 3.3.25

Watch Off the Bench Presented by UDF with Chatterbox Sports Monday-Friday 10 a.m. - 12 p.m. LIVE on the Chatterbox Sports YouTube channel. SUBSCRIBE to the channel to ensure you never miss a thing. Ja'Marr Chase’s contract situation with the Cincinnati Bengals remains a focal point as of March 3, 2025, with recent rumors suggesting the two sides are not close to an agreement. The star wide receiver, entering his fifth NFL season, has been eligible for an extension since last offseason, but negotiations have stalled. Reports indicate Chase feels misled by the Bengals, who approached him multiple times about a deal—first after the 2023 season and again during the offseason—only to fail to finalize terms before the 2024 season began. A proposed four-year, $140 million offer, which would have tied him with Justin Jefferson as the league’s highest-paid receiver, fell apart over guarantee structures. Chase, who took out a $50 million insurance policy for 2024, has no plans to negotiate during the season, pushing talks to 2025. With his fifth-year option securing him $21.8 million next year, speculation grows that Chase seeks upwards of $40 million annually, reflecting the rising salary cap and his elite production (29 touchdowns in three seasons). The Bengals’ hesitation, paired with their history of avoiding in-season extensions, fuels rumors of a widening gap, raising concerns about retaining their cornerstone talent long-term. The 2025 NFL Combine, held in Indianapolis from February 24 to March 3, provided the Cincinnati Bengals with a crucial opportunity to scout top prospects for the upcoming NFL Draft. With a focus on bolstering their roster, particularly on defense, the Bengals met with several standout players during the event. Among the notable prospects were Marshall edge rusher Mike Green, who led the FBS in 2024 with 17 sacks, and Oklahoma State edge Collin Oliver, praised for his pass-rushing potential despite an injury-limited season. The Bengals also engaged with a strong contingent of defensive linemen, including Texas A&M’s Shemar Stewart and Nic Scourton, Ole Miss’s Walter Nolen, Georgia’s Mykel Williams, and Tennessee’s James Pearce Jr., signaling a clear intent to upgrade their pass rush, which struggled in 2024. On the offensive side, Cincinnati met with Ohio State wide receiver Emeka Egbuka, a top prospect with 81 catches for 1,011 yards last season, hinting at potential plans to enhance their receiving corps amid uncertainty with Tee Higgins. These meetings reflect the Bengals’ strategy to address key needs, blending defensive reinforcements with offensive firepower, as they prepare for the draft with the 17th overall pick.