How Much Are the Bengals Regretting Not Re-Signing Ja’Marr Chase This Past Offseason?

While other teams were off signing their star wide receivers to big contracts like the Cowboys with CeeDee Lamb or the Vikings with Justin Jefferson, the Bengals, instead opted not to re-sign Ja’Marr Chase to a big deal this offseason. They believed that the wide receiver market had gotten out of control with Jefferson getting approximately $35 million annually with his new deal. This comes after Joe Burrow got his new deal with the Bengals last year, worth up to $275 million for 5 years. With Ja’Marr Chase having a massive season with the Bengals this year, how much will the Bengals regret not signing him this offseason to a new deal?

It was reported that Chase was looking for more than what Justin Jefferson got this offseason, and so far this season he has proven that he deserves that type of compensation. Justin Jefferson has amassed 59 receptions, 912 yards, and 5 TDs this season. Meanwhile, Ja’Marr Chase has pulled in 73 receptions, 1056 yards, and 12 TDs which ranks him first in all categories for wide receivers in the NFL. With Ja’Marr Chase currently holding the triple crown for wide receiver stats, he should expect a big payday from someone after this next season. So what will be the outcome if the Bengals do sign him?

If the Bengals pay Chase, then they will be shelling out likely over $80 million annually to only two offensive pieces for the next several years. This will come at the cost of the rest of the roster as the Bengals will be more restricted in the type of players they can have on their team moving forward. However, on the positive side, they will retain their dynamic offense with Burrow and Chase which gives the Bengals a chance to contend moving forward. What will happen if they don’t resign Chase?

If the Bengals don’t re-sign Chase to a mega deal, they may save themselves some money in cap space, but they run the risk of Joe Burrow and this offense falling off a cliff. Ja’Marr Chase has accounted for over a third of Burrow’s passing yardage, and nearly half of Burrow’s touchdowns, this season. If he leaves, there is no telling whether or not Joe Burrow could continue to perform at an elite level. Either way, the Bengals certainly made a mistake not re-signing Chase to a big contract this offseason because now they are likely either going to lose one of the best wide receivers in the NFL to free agency or the Bengals are going to pay him a bigger price tag just to stay on the team moving forward.