Cincinnati Bengals wide receiver Ja’Marr Chase could have used his anticipated media interview session on Friday to seemingly put some pressure on the team about his extension.
But he didn’t totally commit to that route, instead suggesting that he could at least somewhat play without a new deal.
Chase told reporters after practice that a contract extension is “in reach,” per Geoff Hobson of Bengals.com. He also said that while he’s a game-time decision against the New England Patriots, he could be “limited” if he does suit up, per WLWT’s Charlie Clifford.
Per the Cincinnati Enquirer’s Charlie Goldsmith, Chase said his deadline for an extension was Friday.
Prior to this, a recent report said that meaningful progress on extension talks is what spurred Chase to return to practice at all ahead of Week 1.
For now, it seems clear that Chase and the Bengals remain close, but that it’s on the team to drag things over the finish line.