The Bengals and star wide receiver Ja'Marr Chase could not come to terms on a new contract before the start of the 2024 NFL season.
That didn't prevent Chase from suiting up and playing in Week 1, but he made sure he was covered by insurance in case of any injuries. Chase reportedly took out a $50 million insurance policy to protect himself from injuries as he finishes out the final year of his rookie contract, per ESPN's Adam Schefter.
What will the insurance policy cover and how much is Chase making this season? The Sporting News takes a closer look below.
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Ja'Marr Chase insurance policy, explained
Following the Bengals' surprising Week 1 loss to the Patriots, news broke that Chase was not expected to sign a long-term deal with Cincinnati this season.
Entering the 2024 season on the final year of his rookie contract, Chase "held in" for the majority of training camp as his team tried to work an extension with the Bengals' front office.
Even when those negotiations stalled leading 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 protecting his future first.
Chase reportedly took out a $50 million insurance policy on himself "to safeguard against injury and any potential lost earnings," per ESPN's Schefter.
Chase was reportedly close to inking a deal with the Bengals before the start of the season but talks fell through over the "structure of the deal and payout of the money," per 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 good," one of Schefter's sources said of Chase's attitude about playing the 2024 season on an insurance policy.
Ja'Marr Chase contract details
Chase is in the final year of his rookie contract, only making $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 was trying to hold out for 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 came by way of a signing bonus and roster bonus, so he's still making a decent amount overall this season.
In the very off-chance he plays a full season without a new contract and still cannot reach an agreement with the Bengals next spring, he has a club option worth $21.8 million for the 2025 season before becoming an unrestricted free agent in 2026.
(All contract figures per Spotrac.)
| Year | Age | Base Salary |
| 2024 | 24 | $1.055 million |
| 2025 | 25 | $21.82 million |
| 2026 | 26 | UFA |
WEEK 4 FANTASY RANKINGS:
QBs | RBs | WRs | TEs | D/STs | Kickers
Ja'Marr Chase stats
- Targets: 11
- Receptions: 10
- Receiving yards: 97
- Receiving TDs: 0
After missing almost all of preseason training camp, Chase has shown some signs of rust heading into the Bengals' Week 3 matchup with the Commanders. He failed to crack the 100-yard mark in each of his first two games and still has not found the end zone.
