The Bengals and star wide receiver Ja’Marr Chase have failed to agree on a new contract before the start of the 2024 NFL season.
That didn’t stop Chase from playing in Week 1, but he made sure he was covered by insurance in case of injury. Chase reportedly took out a $50 million insurance policy to protect himself from injuries as he completes the final year of his rookie contract. according to ESPN’s Adam Schefter.
What will the insurance policy cover and how much does Chase earn this season? Jugo Mobile take a closer look below.
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Ja’Marr Chase Insurance Policy Explained
After the Bengals’ surprising Week 1 loss to the Patriots, news broke that Chase is not expected to sign a long-term contract with Cincinnati this offseason.
Entering the 2024 season on the final year of his rookie contract, Chase “held his ground” for most of training camp as his team tried to work out an extension with Bengals management.
Even when those negotiations stalled heading into the first game of the year, Chase decided he would still take the field with his teammates to open the season, but not without first protecting his future.
According to ESPN’s Schefter, Chase reportedly purchased a $50 million insurance policy to “protect himself against injury and any potential loss of income.”
Chase was reportedly close to signing a deal with the Bengals before the start of the season, but talks fell apart because of the “structure of the deal and the payout,” according to Schefter. The contract would have made Chase the NFL’s new highest-paid receiver, beating out the $35 million annual average of his former LSU teammate, Vikings star Justin Jefferson.
“He’s doing well,” one of Schefter’s sources said of Chase’s attitude toward playing the 2024 season with an insurance policy.
Ja’Marr Chase Contract Details
Chase is in the final year of his rookie contract, earning just $1.05 million in base salary.
That figure makes him one of the lowest-paid starting receivers in the NFL, so it’s understandable that he tried to get more money before putting his body and health on the line.
It’s worth noting that Chase signed a four-year, $30.8 million deal as a rookie. Most of the money comes from a signing bonus and roster bonus, which puts him on track to earn a decent amount this season.
In the highly unlikely event that he plays a full season without a new contract and always If he fails to reach an agreement with the Bengals next spring, he has a club option worth $21.8 million through the 2025 season before becoming an unrestricted free agent in 2026.
(All contract figures by Spotrac.)
| Year | Age | Basic salary |
| 2024 | 24 | $1.055 million |
| 2025 | 25 | $21.82 million |
| 2026 | 26 | UFA |
WEEK 4 FANTASY RANKINGS:
QB | RB | WR | TE | D/ST | Kickers
Ja’Marr Chase Statistics
- Targets: 11
- Receptions: 10
- Receiving yards: 97
- Reception of TD: 0
After missing nearly all of preseason training camp, Chase showed some signs of rust heading into the Bengals’ Week 3 matchup against the Commanders. He failed to reach 100 yards in his first two games and has yet to find the end zone.
