Cincinnati is off until Monday when the team heads into its game week preparations for the opener Sept. 8 against New England.
“We are all there for him,” Bengals wide receiver Andrei Iosivas said. “We all want him to succeed, we want us to succeed as well, so that’s none of my business necessarily, but I think he’s a great player and he deserves to be paid like he’s one of the best in the league.”
Iosivas and center Ted Karras both said Chase’s contract situation isn’t a distraction. Taylor described it as a “one-off situation” the team is taking day by day.
Quarterback Joe Burrow had said previously he would just need one practice to get back into sync with Chase, and Taylor doesn’t think there is a certain point where Chase’s absence would impact the ability for the offense to get ready.
“I think we’ve got really good players, and that’s what’s good about us is we have really good depth in the skill position spot on offense so a lot of guys are working in practice to get those reps,” Taylor said. “And of course, we would love for him to be practicing and get those reps, but at the same time, it does give other guys an opportunity to continue to step up in that role and show us why they are here, so again, you’ve got to find the positives in the situation, and there’s a lot of positives in getting other guys work.”
Taylor was confident Tuesday that Chase would play Week 1, but after Chase veered off course with Taylor’s expectations he would continue practicing, the sixth-year coach said he would not offer any predictions moving forward.
Chase has declined interviews since he showed up as an observer only for mandatory minicamp in June. He wasn’t present for any other offseason workouts, and although he’s been around the team for meetings and in the locker room since camp began, Chase has elected to stay silent on his situation and his intentions if the contract doesn’t get done before the season starts.
The three-time Pro Bowler did come into the locker room Thursday with cleats and gloves in hand about 45 minutes after his teammates trickled in following practice, indicating he had gotten in some form of work.
Karras said he is still confident the offense will be ready to go for the opener regardless of whether Chase returns or not.
“We have so many guys at that position, on this team,” Karras said. “I feel like we’re a very deep team, guys that know what to do, know how to do it and want to go out and do it right.”
Although Karras said the players are “rooting” for Chase, he also wants the best for the Bengals organization and believes the front office will handle things the right way to keep an elite receiver that can help the team.
Karras joked that he told Chase to send him into negotiations to close a deal for him at the cost of just one percent or a “Cincy Hat” project sponsorship.
“It’s a private dealing,” Karras said of the negoatiations between Chase and the team. “No one’s been loose-lipped about it. We all understand the business aspect of what’s going on, and we’re all rooting for him to get it done, a deal he likes and that will help this organization and team for a long time.”
“He’s a great player,” Karras added. “He’s a cornerstone of our franchise. I’m rooting for both sides. I think this organization, I have a lot of respect for how they do business. They’ve always shot me straight. Obviously, the magnitude of that contract might take a little longer, but I always like to see players get paid and go out and get what you’ve earned. You deserve nothing in this league. You get what you’ve earned, and he’s earned quite a bit.”
NEXT GAME
Sunday, Sept. 8
Patriots at Bengals, 1 p.m., CBS, 1530, 102.7, 104.7
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