Bengals fans divided after HC's ambiguous answer on Ja'Marr Chase: "Just pay the man" "Overhyped fraud"

Many wide receivers earned big contract extensions this offseason, and Cincinnati Bengals wide receiver Ja'Marr Chase hopes to be the next. As Chase enters year four in the NFL, he's made it known to the Bengals that he wants to become one of the highest-paid receivers in the NFL, surpassing Justin Jefferson's four-year $140 million contract.

Chase missed practice earlier this week as he tries to finalize a long-term contract before the 2024 season begins. On Wednesday, head coach Zac Taylor was unsure whether Chase would practice after missing out yesterday.

Bengals fans are frustrated by Chase's contract situation. Some fans want the Bengals to extend him already.

While others think the Bengals will have to make Chase the highest-paid wide receiver in the NFL the longer they wait on giving him an extension. Few think he deserves a top-end contract after his productive three seasons.

Here's how fans reacted:

"The Bengals will have to make Chase the 'highest-paid' receiver in NFL history, or hope that he decides to suit up for the remainder of his rookie contract," a fan said.

"PAY HIM," one fan simply wrote.

"The players put their bodies on the line to entertain us. Yet, the owners reap the financial rewards in the hundreds of millions. If the players don’t get their fair share, then strike," one fan wrote.

While the majority of Bengals fans want Chase paid and extended before the start of the 2024 season, some fans expressed how annoyed or frustrated they are with the current situation.

Here's how other fans reacted:

"Let him sit!" one fan said.

"Alright this is getting really annoying," a fan Tweeted.

"Drama queen number 10," a fan wrote.

Ja'Marr Chase update: Chase returns to the practice field on Wednesday

Ja'Marr Chase during Cincinnati Bengals vs. Kansas City Chiefs - Source: Getty

Shortly after Zac Taylor addressed the media, saying, "We'll see" as to whether Ja'Marr Chase will practice, multiple sources confirmed Chase was seen walking to the practice field with a helmet on.

This is a positive direction for the Bengals, who may be without Chase to open the season. If Chase isn't a full participant, the Bengals will have to put him as questionable for Sunday's game.

Chase is set to earn $1.055 million this season in the fourth year of his rookie deal. He's on the books for $21.81 million next season as the Bengals picked up his fifth-year option.

Do you think Ja'Marr Chase will get a contract extension before the start of the season?