WR Ja’Marr Chase expected to play in Week 1 against the Patriots, Bengals head coach Zac Taylor says

Cincinnati Bengals head coach Zac Taylor said Tuesday that he expects wide receiver Ja’Marr Chase to be on the field in Week 1, when the team’s first game takes on the New England Patriots.

When asked if he was confident the three-time Pro Bowler would be ready to play on Sept. 8, Taylor replied simply, “Yes.”

Chase did not play in any of the Bengals’ exhibition games because he wants to renegotiate his contract, which has two years left on his rookie deal.

The 24-year-old returned to training and participated in two sessions this week and will continue that plan as the game against the Patriots approaches.

Chase has amassed 3,717 receiving yards and 29 touchdowns in his first three NFL seasons. After seeing contracts given to CeeDee Lamb of the Dallas Cowboys and Justin Jefferson of the Minnesota Vikings, plus those given to members of his 2021 draft class — Miami’s Jaylen Waddle, Detroit’s Amon-Ra St. Brown and Philadelphia’s DeVonta Smith — the LSU product is hoping to make big money after a productive start to his NFL career.

The Bengals picked up Chase’s fifth-year option in April, which will increase his salary from $1.1 million this coming season to a fully guaranteed $21.8 million in 2025 unless an extension is worked out.

In 2023, Chase caught a career-high 100 balls, which is tied for the second-most in a season in Bengals history. He is also one of only eight players in NFL history to reach 1,000 receiving yards in each of his first three seasons.