This is supposed to be Joe Burrow’s comeback season. Sure, a QB is meant to lead the team. But for that to happen, a team must be there. Currently, the Bengals are struggling to keep hold of that situation. An area you can say that they are struggling with. And with the season opener against the Patriots on Sunday, the team has released a list of absentees. It’s not a good sight.

The standout names on everyone’s mind? Ja’Marr Chase and Tee Higgins. When asked about their availability for Sunday’s game, Zac Taylor kept it brief with a familiar, “We’ll see.” X’s and O’s might dominate game planning just a couple of days short of the game. But when your head coach is still in limbo, frustration builds. The blame game? Not helpful, especially when no clear answers are in sight.

Taylor did offer a bit more detail on Higgins, saying, “He had a little tweak [Thursday practice]. We’ll see where it goes.” But for Chase? The ‘Who Dey Nation’ gets nothing more than a two-word update. Cue the uproar. Fans aren’t buying it, especially two days before game night. On top of this, the Bengals’ official X account listed Chase’s absence as “Rest.” One fan wrote: ‘Really? Two days out, and we’re talking rest?’

On the flip side, Higgins may not have locked in a long-term contract, but his impact on the Bengals remains undeniable. With Cincinnati eyeing another Super Bowl run, the offense—led by Joe Burrow, Chase, and Higgins—is the key. Yet, with both receivers potentially sidelined, who will Burrow target? That’s a question time will soon answer for itself in a couple of days.

Till then, know this: Joe Burrow is letting nothing stop his redemption arc.

Joe Burrow backs his LSU ‘brother’ Ja’Marr Chase

Joe Burrow is on a mission this season, and he’s not letting anything or anyone break his stride. Redemption is the name of the game, and if his career follows the same script, 2024 could be his comeback tour. Remember how 2020 ended with an injury timeout? Then came two MVP-caliber years before another setback in 2023.

So, you might wonder, is this the year Burrow brings his A-game again? With his eyes on the prize, he’s not letting Ja’Marr Chase’s contract saga distract him. After all, Burrow’s not here to play defense on contract negotiations—he’s here to win games.

In Burrow’s own words, going into a season without a deal “is definitely a distraction.” And let’s not forget that Chase, his go-to guy, could be sidelined as he locks horns with the Bengals over his contract. Now, you might ask, why the rush? Chase still has two years left on his rookie deal, but he’s not about to wait around. And with Burrow already securing the bag, you can bet that Chase wants in on that long-term action, too.

Chase and his agent are rolling the dice, pushing for that extension earlier than most. Risky? Sure. But if it pays off, he could be catching more than just touchdowns. Will this contract affect Joe Burrow and the Bengals’ goal for 2024? That’s the million-dollar question, quite literally. And maybe answered by a million-dollar paycheck for Chase. What do you think?