Bengals three-time Pro Bowl wide receiver Ja’Marr Chase said Friday a contract extension is "in reach," as Sunday's opener approaches against the Patriots at Paycor Stadium (1 p.m.-Cincinnati's Local 12).
Chase continues to say he wants to stay in Cincinnati and thinks he will.
"I'm confident it will get done. I know my worth and I'm sure they know my worth, too. That's easy and simple," Chase said after Friday's practice. "I love Cincinnati. I love the teammates here. I love the fans here. It's just a beautiful place to be."
Chase talked to the media for the first time this summer after participating in practices this week. He said if he doesn't get an extension, he'll play the season and would be willing to re-negotiate next offseason.
"We're pretty close. A few numbers need to be moved around," Chase said. "And changed in some places. I'll say we're pretty close."
He says he "knows for a fact," he's the best receiver in the NFL, and says he's not looking to surpass by much his buddy and college teammate Justin Jefferson, the league's highest-paid receiver.
Chase said the club approached him soon after last season and told him it wanted to open negotiations. While the process has been going on for six months, he said he tried to not let it interfere with his work in the building.
"I'm a team player. I put all my guys first," Chase said. "If no one knows, they know now. I give all my support to the guys and help the ones that need help."
Chase said while the offense has been walking through each day, he's had his own routine with strength and conditioning coach Joey Boese. Chase has averaged 58 snaps in his 45 career games, and he thinks he could come close to giving them that if he plays Sunday.
"The running I was doing and the (practice) reps are totally different," Chase said. "How many do I usually play? Forty? Between 40 and 50. It's close."
What Chase calls "a game-time decision" to play comes against the backdrop of the Bengals' other starting wide receiver, franchise player Tee Higgins, downgraded to doubtful after missing Friday's practice.
Also ruled out for Sunday are the Bengals' top two draft picks, right tackle Amarius Mims (pectoral) and defensive tackle Kris Jenkins Jr. (thumb). Jenkins, a key backup, had been targeted to get plenty of snaps Sunday against a Patriots team that figures to use its running game heavily behind offseason pickup Jacoby Brissett at quarterback.
Bengals head coach Zac Taylor indicates there's a chance Jenkins could play next week in Kansas City.
The Bengals are bullish about their versatility and depth on offense, and it could be tested right out of the gate. Taylor is confident his deep receiver room and options at tight end and running back could get them through Sunday's potential absences.
In their three seasons together as one the NFL's most explosive duos, Chase and Higgins have never missed the same game.
"As good as any team in the league," said Taylor when asked about responding to the potential shortages. "We're ready to rock. Our coaches are on it, our players are on it. We've got really smart guys. We get injuries that happen during the week. Or Saturday. Or during pregame warmups, or the first play of the game. We've seen it all. That's the benefit of having a staff together for so long."
It could mean a heavy workload for wide receiver Andrei Iosivas, who had 15 catches last season while starting one game. It also probably means third-rounder Jermaine Burton is going to be active.
Burton was their leading preseason receiver with a spectacular 20 yards per catch on eight balls, two for touchdowns, with his numbers coming late in games.
Burton says he's getting a better handle on the playbook.
"I think it's cool. It's a day-to-day process," Burton said. "It takes time, followed next by timing, connection. And just how overall you process things. I'm getting better every day. I think game time will be fun. I'm ready for whatever. A hundred percent. I always have been. I've had troubles like any (rookie) and some process quicker than others. But, hey man, I'm a hard-worker and when my number's called, I'll do what I've got to do."
Burton says he's been catching balls from quarterback Joe Burrow during the preseason and is gradually getting more work with him.
The Bengals will unveil Sunday for the first time a back-by-committee in Chase Brown and Zack Moss, as well as a contingent of tight ends including pass catchers Mike Gesicki, Tanner Hudson and Erick All Jr.
