In a move that is surprising to no one, Cincinnati Bengals WR Ja’Marr Chase made his return to Bengals practice on Monday as he and the Bengals begin preparation for their season opener September 8 against the New England Patriots. This comes after 17 days of non-participation. Although a reason wasn’t specified, it was widely regarded that he’s seeking a contract extension, despite having two years left on his current rookie deal.

Chase’s return gives him a chance to get up to speed with team activities (which he knew already), and integrate himself with his teammates as the Bengals begin their 4th season with Chase as their no. 1 wide receiver. During his “hold-in”, Chase has been in constant communication with Zac Taylor and with the team while the other veterans on the Bengals were in training camp.

Chase wasn’t the only one who sat out the practice period. Other vets like Tee HIggins and Trey Hendrickson had rest days in the middle, but became active participants when healthy. Chase was the only one who sat out the entire training camp.

During his “hold-in”, Chase missed out on all of the preseason (although it was 50/50 he’d see any preseason snaps). Once he came back to join the team in practice, he and the team put everything behind them and turned their attention to the upcoming season where the team hopes to make a playoff push after missing the playoffs last season.

While everyone stands back and waits for a deal to be done, Chase has made his return and is practicing as if nothing has ever happened before hand, putting this in the rear view mirror as they prepare for the season to begin. He and the team want to get a deal done, and the feeling is one will eventually get done. 

UPDATE; After Bengal’s Head Coach Zac Taylor proclaimed that Chase would practice today, Chase showed up to camp in street clothes. Therefore, it is assumed that he will not practice with the team as previously said.

Remember a few years ago when then Patriots Head Coach famously said, “Onto Cincinnati” when he was asked a barrage of uncomfortable questions from behind a podium? I feel Zac Taylor will now do the same thing with questions asked of him about Ja’Marr Chase. Except his line will be “We are going to continue to take it day to day.” Hopefully, Taylor has learned his lesson about making dollar guarantees, on million dollar players, and I hope that Ja’Marr realizes that making his Head Coach look stupid in front of the media doesn’t make money for anyone.

Extension of not, Chase will be on the field once the Bengals season begins. 

In the end, that’s all that matters.

Photo Credit; The Ringer, Reddit, NBC Sports,