Will Ja’Marr Chase play for the Bengals in the season opener against the Patriots?

Amid his contract stand-off with the Cincinnati Bengals, Ja’Marr Chase says he anticipates a “game-time decision” over whether or not he plays in the team’s NFL regular-season opener against the New England Patriots.

What did Chase say about Bengals contract impasse?

Having sat out training camp as negotiations continue over an extension, Chase returned to practice this midweek, as the Bengals prepare to host the Patriots at Paycor Stadium on Sunday.

In comments to journalists on Friday, per Bengals beat reporter Kelsey Conway, the wide receiver - who currently has two years left on his rookie contract - said his availability against New England will be “my decision”. If he does suit up against the Patriots, though, Chase says his involvement is likely to be “limited”.

Revealing that an agreement over a new deal was “pretty close”, Chase said he had set a deadline of Friday for the current contract negotiations to be resolved. However, although the Bengals have listed the 24-year-old as questionable for this weekend’s game against the Patriots, the former LSU Tigers star says he is willing to play for the Ohioans this year if a deal isn’t reached, before resuming negotiations during the next off-season.

“I love Cincinnati,” Chase said, per Bengals.com’s Geoff Hobson. “I love the team-mates here. I love the fans here. It’s just a beautiful place to be.”

Chase also dismissed rumours that he wants one cent more than Justin Jefferson is to receive as part of the four-year, $140 million contract that the fellow LSU graduate signed with the Minnesota Vikings in June. “If I want to beat Justin, I’m going to beat the shit out of Justin,” he said, per Conway. “Not by a penny, brother.”

A first-round Draft pick by the Bengals in 2021, Chase is a three-time Pro Bowler and was named Offensive Rookie of the Year in his opening season in the NFL. In 45 appearances for the Bengals, the Louisiana native has accumulated 268 receptions for 3,717 receiving yards and 29 touchdowns, according to Pro Football Reference.

Patriots vs Bengals: start time, how to watch

The Cincinnati Bengals host the New England Patriots on Sunday September 8, 2024, with kick-off at Paycor Stadium scheduled for 1:00 p.m. ET/10:00 a.m. PT. Viewers in the US can watch the Game on CBS, WBZ and Paramount+.