gotchanewsdaily.com 
Bengals receiver JaโMarr Chase wanted his new contract yesterday, literally. (He actually wanted it two days ago.) On Sunday, the Bengals play the Patriots. Thatโs when weโll all find out whether Chase will take the field, at a total fourth-year compensation package of $4.8 million.
The Bengals reportedly are proceeding as if Chase will play, according to Jeremy Fowler of ESPN.com. However, the Bengals are also prepared to pivot if he doesnโt.
Our money would be on doesnโt. As explained during Friday nightโs Packers-Eagles pregame, Chase is willing to sit if he doesnโt get what he wants. Already, the Bengals had listed him on the injury report as questionable, even though he wasnโt injured.
On Saturday, the Bengals revised the report to add โillnessโ to his designation. It doesnโt take a genius (which qualifies me to say it) to conclude that Chase has laid the foundation for his decision to not play tomorrow.
Whatโs the endgame, though? Will Chase just not play until the Bengals give him what he wants? At what point will the Bengals play hardball?
Think back to 2004, when receiver Terrell Owens wanted a revised deal from the Eagles. The Eagles said no, Owens caused trouble, and the Eagles eventually suspended him for conduct detrimental to the team.
The difference this time is that Owens played (he averaged more than 100 receiving yards in seven games during his season of extreme discontent) and Chase isnโt doing shirtless driveway situps. But the end result is the same. The player is taking a stand. And the team might not stand for it.
It all comes down to Sunday. If he doesnโt play, will the Bengals just take it?
Things could get very interesting, soon. They also could get very ugly. So far, the two sides have been playing nice. Things could change, very soon.
