Zac Taylor explains why Bengals' Ja'Marr Chase reported for minincamp but didn't practice
For the first time this offseason, Ja’Marr Chase was present for practice in Cincinnati during the Bengals' three-day mandatory minicamp. Chase reported for minicamp but didn’t practice. He took part in the team’s install period ahead of practice and caught stationary passes but changed out of his cleats into tennis shoes to watch as practice continued.
Bengals head coach Zac Taylor opted not to get into the details of why Chase – who is seeking a new contact – didn’t participate in practice but did point to his Pro Bowl wide receiver’s absence from the voluntary workouts as a reason they decided to be cautious with him this week.
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“When someone's not been here, you don't want to rush him into things, but he clearly has done a great job this offseason,” Taylor said. “Really happy to get him back in the building. He was in all the meetings, did all the walkthroughs and all that stuff and then did a great job mentoring some of the other players as he was out there during practice. So, I thought we got what we needed out of him.”
Chase opted to train on his own in Dallas, Texas this offseason instead of taking part of the Bengals’ voluntary offseason program. Taylor said Chase returned in great shape and is pleased with what he saw this week.
The former No. 5 overall pick in the 2021 NFL draft is seeking a new contract as he is now eligible. Chase and his representation were waiting on wide receiver Justin Jefferson to get a new contract before engaging in conversations with Cincinnati’s front office. Jefferson signed a $140 million contract extension that includes $110 million guaranteed. As of late March, executive vice president Katie Blackburn said Chase and the Bengals had not started on the negotiation process.
NFL players are subject to a hefty fine if they skip mandatory minicamp. Chase declined to speak to the local media this week.
Chase has become one of the NFL’s best players in a short period of time. He’s earned a Pro Bowl nod after each of his first three seasons and was named the NFL’s Offensive Rookie of the Year in 2021. In three seasons with the Bengals, Chase has caught 268 passes for 3,717 yards and 29 touchdowns.
This article originally appeared on Cincinnati Enquirer: Ja'Marr Chase was at Bengals minicamp but didn't practice. Here's why
