Ja'marr Chase

Career StatsA-

Year	Team	GP	Rec	Yards	TD
Career		78	520	6,837	54
2025		16	125	1,412	8
2024		17	127	1,708	17
2023		16

Current Contract

Contract Value Index (CVI)

Chase's four-year, $161M extension ($40.3M AAV) with $73.9M guaranteed earns a B- CVI, representing a slight overpay for elite production that comes with some timing concerns. The Bengals are paying top-3 receiver money for a Pro Bowl-caliber talent who has undeniably been spectacular through his first three seasons, but the $40.3M annual value pushes into territory typically reserved for players with longer track records of sustained excellence. At just 24 years old, Chase is entering his prime and should maintain this production level for the majority of this deal, giving Cincinnati a franchise cornerstone who can elevate their offense for years to come. The guaranteed money structure is reasonable given the current receiver market, though the Bengals are betting heavily that Chase's explosive start translates into sustained dominance rather than early-career peaks. This contract solidifies one of the NFL's most dynamic passing attacks, but Cincinnati paid a premium to lock up their star before he could potentially command even more on the open market.

Performance Analysis

Ja'marr Chase enters his fifth NFL season as one of the most decorated wide receivers of his generation — a former No. 5 overall pick out of LSU who has established himself as a perennial Pro Bowl talent and the unquestioned centerpiece of Cincinnati's passing attack. Despite a slight dip from his A+ campaign in 2024 to a B+ this season, Chase's overall grade of A- reflects a receiver whose body of work remains firmly in the conversation with the game's elite, and a single-season recalibration does nothing to diminish the arc of a genuinely special career. Coming off a 2023 grade of B that looked like a blip, Chase responded with arguably his best professional season in 2024, and the current trajectory — while a modest step back — still positions him well above the league median at his position. He is, simply put, a high-floor, high-ceiling receiver who demands attention on every snap. Where Chase separates himself right now is in volume production and red-zone impact. His 88.3 receiving yards per game surpasses the elite threshold of 80.0 yards — a mark that few receivers in the league reach consistently — and his 0.50 receiving touchdowns per game places him just below the elite benchmark of 0.55, nearly double the league average of 0.30. The one area that merits monitoring is yards per reception, where Chase sits at 11.3 this season against a league average of 12.70 and an elite standard of 17.30 — a gap that suggests some constraints in the vertical passing game, whether by design, opponent scheme, or a slightly altered role within Cincinnati's offense. That number is worth watching, particularly for fantasy managers and front offices evaluating his explosiveness as he approaches his late-20s. Chase's ceiling remains that of a genuine WR1 who can carry an offense through stretches, and if his 2024 A+ campaign serves as the baseline for what he's capable of, there's every reason to expect a bounce-back push toward that level as he matures into his prime years. What to watch heading into next season is whether his yards-per-reception figure climbs back toward elite range, which would signal that Cincinnati is unlocking him more frequently as a downfield weapon rather than a high-volume possession receiver. If that correction comes, Chase has the talent and track record to reclaim a spot among the two or three best wide receivers in the NFL.

Current Sentiment

Ja'Marr Chase enters the 2026 season as one of the premier wide receivers in the NFL, backed by a landmark $40.3 million per year contract that reflects his elite standing at the position. His career trajectory — highlighted by a Rookie of the Year award and over 6,800 receiving yards in just five seasons — firmly cements him among the game's most dangerous pass-catchers. However, a one-game suspension stemming from a spitting incident directed at Pittsburgh Steelers cornerback Jalen Ramsey has introduced a conduct narrative that tempers an otherwise sterling reputation heading into the new year. On the organizational front, the Bengals' addition of Georgia wide receiver Colbie Young and a reported 1,200-yard receiver behind Chase and Tee Higgins signals Cincinnati's commitment to building a formidable offensive infrastructure around their star. Overall, Chase's perception remains firmly in star territory, with the suspension serving as a minor but notable blemish that the media will monitor for any pattern of on-field misconduct going forward.