“They gonna try to play with you,” Chad “Ochocinco” Johnson warned on his September 15th Nightcap live stream. The former Bengals star wasn’t talking about on-field tactics, but the cutthroat world of NFL contract negotiations. 

“Let me tell you what they gonna try to do… It’s a dirty business… chat, it’s a dirty business,” Johnson warned on the live stream.  Johnson’s insight gained new weight following Chase’s outburst during Sunday’s nail-biter against the Kansas City Chiefs. Chatting with Shannon Sharpe post-game, Johnson connected the dots: The Bengals office didn’t pay Chase and he is frustrated by it. This frustration boiled over, earning Chase an unsportsmanlike conduct penalty that cost the Bengals 15 yards in their razor-thin 26-25 loss. As Ochocinco put it, “When it comes time to be paid… you know what they gonna say…We don’t think you deserve it because if you look at your numbers it ain’t the same that it was in the previous two years so we don’t really think you should be making top money”

Cincinnati’s electrifying wide receiver had slammed the brakes on contract talks for the 2024 season. Sources spilled to ESPN’s Adam Schefter on September 14th that Chase feels the team pulled a fast one on him during offseason discussions. This bombshell comes hot on the heels of Chase taking out a $50 million insurance policy on himself. Talk about preparing for the worst while hoping for the best!

The plot thickens when we peek behind the curtain at the Bengals’ offer. James Rapien of Sports Illustrated reported that Cincinnati dangled a four-year, $140 million extension in front of Chase. This deal would’ve put him in the same tax bracket as Justin Jefferson, making them both the highest-paid receivers in NFL history at a cool $35 million per year. So why isn’t Chase doing backflips and signing on the dotted line?

It’s all about the Benjamins, baby—especially when it comes to guaranteed money. The Bengals’ offer included $90 million in practical guarantees and a $30 million signing bonus. However, Ja’Marr Chase wasn’t satisfied. He wanted those guarantees to hit his bank account much earlier than the Bengals’ proposed 2027 timeline.

This standoff has set the NFL world ablaze, with pundits and fans alike weighing in. ESPN’s Stephen A. Smith didn’t pull any punches, declaring on September 13th, “That organization makes me sick.” He even went as far as wishing the Bengals would “fall flat on their damn face” until they pay Chase his due. Ouch!

A high-stakes tango of NFL contract dance

Chase’s situation is a canary in the coal mine, highlighting a shift in how young NFL superstars are approaching contract negotiations. They’re not only focusing on immediate gains but also on securing their financial futures.

Look at Justin Jefferson’s deal with the Vikings. He locked down $88.74 million fully guaranteed at signing, with his total guarantees hitting a whopping $110 million. That’s not just setting the bar; it’s launching it into the stratosphere.

The Bengals, however, are known for their old-school approach to contracts. They typically keep guarantees limited to the first year, with Joe Burrow being the lone exception to this penny-pinching rule.

As Chase said on September 6th, “I want to say we’re off a little bit, but it’s in reach. I’d say we’re pretty close. A few numbers need to be switched around and changed other places, but I’ll say we’re pretty close.” Close, but no cigar, it seems.

This contract tango has implications beyond just Chase and the Bengals. It’s setting the stage for future negotiations across the league. As one source told ESPN about Chase’s insurance policy, “He’s good.” But is the relationship between the star and the team still good? That’s the million-dollar question.

As the 2024 season unfolds, all eyes will be on this high-stakes drama. Will the Bengals cave and restructure their offer? Or will Chase have to rely on that insurance policy?