Star wide receiver Ja'Marr Chase made his presence felt at Bengals practice, signaling his readiness for the upcoming season. On Sunday, he returned to practice for the first time and impressed head coach Zac Taylor with his performance during team reps this week.

Although Chase was at practice, he was not in uniform, a notable change from the previous day when Taylor indicated that Chase would continue his participation throughout the week. This suggests that the Bengals are taking precautionary measures to ensure his readiness for the season opener against the New England Patriots.

Throughout his three seasons with the Bengals, Chase has emerged as quarterback Joe Burrow's primary target, accumulating an impressive 268 catches for 3,717 yards and 29 touchdowns. His presence on the field is crucial to the team's success, making him a key player alongside Burrow, according to Bengals owner Mike Brown.

Speaking on the possibility of a contract extension for Chase, Brown expressed the team's commitment to keeping the dynamic wide receiver in Cincinnati long-term. Although no specific timeline was given for negotiations, Brown assured that the organization would spare no effort to get a deal done.

It is worth noting that historically, the Bengals have been willing to engage in extension talks until the start of the regular season. Just last year, they reached an agreement with Burrow on the NFL's opening night, while in 2015, wide receiver AJ Green secured a deal just days before the team's season opener.

As it currently stands, Chase is under contract with the Bengals for two more seasons, with his fifth-year option for 2025 already exercised by the team. However, there is considerable speculation that an extension could be reached before the start of the 2024 season. Experts predict that the potential deal could be in the same range as the contracts signed by CeeDee Lamb and Justin Jefferson, reportedly worth $136 million and $140 million, respectively.

As the Bengals gear up for the season opener, Chase's return to practice provides an encouraging sign for fans and teammates. His contributions on the field have been invaluable, and it is clear that the team is invested in securing his future with the franchise. Negotiations for a contract extension may still take time, but the Bengals are committed to ensuring that Chase remains an integral part of their success in the Queen City.