Cincinnati Bengals star wide receiver Ja’Marr Chase ended up playing in Week 1 after there were doubts that he would since he held out of training camp.
Another receiver who held out this preseason, Dallas Cowboys CeeDee Lamb – who signed a four-year, $136 million extension before the season began – went on Kay Adams’ show, “Up & Adams,” where he revealed his thoughts on his counterpart’s situation.
“I feel like he’s playing it right. He’s doing it right. All it’s going to take is one big game for him to show his worth,” Lamb said. “Obviously, Week 1 is tough for us because we’ve been holding out, but once we get acclimated and our bodies start getting back into the grind of things, it’s going to pop off. I have no doubt that he’s going to have a great year this year.”
Though they were in different situations before the season, Chase with two years left on his deal, and Lamb headed into the final year of his before he signed the extension, Lamb still had some advice for the Bengals pass catcher.
“I know for him it’s a very difficult situation mentally,” Lamb said. “Obviously, physically, he’s been playing ball his whole life, so I’m not really worried about him being ready. But mentally, just be locked in. Stay true to yourself and always just stay true to what you believe in… Keep working, keep grinding bro. I can’t tell him anything that he doesn’t know already. You’re going to get what you’re worth.”
Chase’s contract situation rolls on, and likely will for a while now that he has officially decided to play without a new contract. But if it doesn’t get figured out before next season, it could be a completely different story for the Bengals.
Chase finished Week 1 with six catches for 62 yards in what was an underwhelming performance for the entire Bengals squad at home against the New England Patriots.
