ESPN: Bengals favorite star declines contract proposal in latest negotiations.

With just one week until the NFL season begins, there is still some degree of concern surrounding the status of wide receiver Ja’Marr Chase of the Cincinnati Bengals. However, a recent source indicated that there may be a potential for a quick resolution.

Jeremy Fowler of ESPN stated during a Saturday appearance on “SportsCenter” that the Bengals are intensifying their efforts to work out a long-term deal with Chase. The wide receiver’s current contract has two years left, so the Bengals are hesitant to offer him a large amount of guaranteed money, which complicates the matter.

According to what Fowler has heard, the Bengals have been working harder to finish this in recent days. “I’ve spoken to a few hopeful and enthusiastic people in the building. They have to see this through to the end, but there’s a feeling in the locker room that they can win this. Given that his contract has two years remaining, it’s a difficult deal to make. The Bengals are aware of this, thus they are only willing to offer him a certain amount of guaranteed money.

Any new agreement, Fowler continued, would probably pay Chase well over $30 million a year. According to additional sources, Chase is reportedly attempting to outbid Minnesota for Justin Jefferson’s $35 million-a-year contract.

At Bengals training, Chase has been a hold-in. He was supposed to practice last week, but that ended up not happening, so things are a little unclear for him in Week 1.