Ja’Marr Chase spent weeks holding in. Now, the All-Pro Bengals wide receiver continues to vacillate between a hold-in strategy and practicing. Wednesday marked a better sign for the team, as its top weapon suited up for what is considered its first game-week workout of the season. Of course, Chase returned to the sideline after having previously suited up. The extension-seeking player’s Thursday participation may be more indicative, given the inconsistency here, of his Week 1 availability.
Seeking a deal in Justin Jefferson territory, Chase is doing so with an organization that avoids the kind of guarantee structures the Vikings authorized for their top wideout. Mike Brown has said Chase is the team’s top non-Joe Burrow performer, but the longtime owner pointed to a 2025 deal being more likely. That said, a recent report indicated the Bengals intensified efforts to extend Chase late last week. Burrow said Wednesday that Chase is ready to play, via the Cincinnati Enquirer’s Kelsey Conway, but stopped short of confirming he would.
The Vikings did proceed this way with Jefferson, with the sides cutting off talks before last season. While the Bengals and Chase continue to negotiate, it will be interesting to see how the team — which has bristled about needing to change its guarantee structure for Chase — goes near the guarantees Jefferson ($110MM) and CeeDee Lamb ($100MM) commanded. Jefferson also did not hold in last year.
The Bengals listed Chase as a limited practice participant. A mysterious injury would be a way for him to avoid playing — absent a new contract — in Week 1, but Cincinnati’s injury report lists the limited capacity as pertaining to rest. Here is the latest from a few NFL wide receiver situations:
- Jahan Dotson‘s second Commanders season included a clash with then-OC Eric Bieniemy, SI.com’s Albert Breer notes. Bieniemy’s style, as Ron Rivera pointed out last year, had brought a bit of a culture shock to several Commanders players. The longtime Chiefs OC is now in that position at UCLA. This year, teams began inquiring about Dotson’s availability after reading of Washington’s uncertainty beyond Terry McLaurin at receiver. The Commanders ended up making a rare trade with the Eagles, a pick-swap deal that brought back a 2025 third-rounder, to unload the 2022 first-round pick.
- Missing out on Brandon Aiyuk, the Steelers have Van Jefferson and third-round pick Roman Wilson as their top George Pickens complementary options. The team also took a look at receiver/returner Jamal Agnew recently, NFL.com’s Tom Pelissero tweets. Agnew, who suffered a broken leg late in the 2023 season, has returned to full strength, per NFL.com’s Mike Garafolo. More than 10 teams have inquired about the converted cornerback’s status. The former All-Pro caught 90 passes during his recent three-year Jaguars tenure.
- Preparing to being his Texans tenure, Stefon Diggs alluded to an effort to lead the Bills to trade him this offseason. The veteran receiver had said he was not surprised Buffalo did move him this offseason. “None of those teams wanted to get rid of me,” Diggs said, via GQ’s Clay Skipper. “Things had to shake because I kind of wanted them to shake.” The Bills moved on from Diggs, tiring of his antics, despite taking on a non-QB-record $31.1MM in dead money. The Texans then took the unusual step of removing the final three seasons from the wide receiver’s contract, making him a 2025 free agent-to-be. Diggs, who also made noise in an effort to leave Minnesota, has an opportunity to rebound after disappointing during the second half of last season in Buffalo.
If things go South for Diggs in Houston, he’s likely to do himself a huge disservice going into his next contract.
DeMeco Ryans is seen as a bigtime players coach and a loveable father figure/big brother to almost everyone that comes into contact with him.
I think GMs are going to think twice if it doesn’t work out in Houston. One team, that’s understandable. Two teams, that’s a little troubling, but it happens. Now, three teams, and the third was led by a man everyone raves about. Yeah, I hope he gets it together and gets everything figured out in Houston.
There will always be a market for players that can consistently play at a Pro Bowl level. It’s a bit ironic that Buffalo got fed up with Digg’s antics but were willing to tolerate Ritchie Incognito (who clearly had some mental issues).
Wait til Diggs realizes he’s the third best WR on his new team
And proceeds to throw tantrums on the sidelines to show up his sophomore QB and on social media, then asks his brother to pile on during an early season primetime game, as despite knowing he’s the third best WR refuses to not have 50% of the wide receiver targets thrown his way
Schmuck
Doubt he does that.
He’s playing for 1 year
He acts up he’s going to cost himself millions on the next contract.
Easy to act up when you’re under contract for what 4 years or whatever it was prior to trade. You’re under contract and being paid 100 something mill.
It’s funny how people talk about Diggs like he’s this monstrously dysfunctional player when he catches 100 passes for over 1000 yards every year, suits up every game or close to it, and has never been on a losing team.
I think that mercurial is probably a better word for him than dysfunctional. You’re right, people do say that, and I see why. However, while Diggs has become unhappy seemingly out of the blue in the past, he also doesn’t really make big, showy displays of bad behavior. He doesn’t get into any real trouble. You don’t hear about him belittling or yelling at teammates, or things like that. It’s always rumors of him being sullen, or not being effusive about his preferences. Certainly it can become a distraction, and Diggs isn’t a typical personality by any means. He can definitely be demanding on a team, and one could make an argument that he could be considered immature or pouty.
However, Diggs doesn’t really get into real trouble or cause really bad problems that I know of, and doesn’t, as far as I know, hamstring his team in moving him. It’s like a quiet disgruntlement. So i can agree that he’s difficult, but I personally would say that he certainly could make things worse for his team than he he’s been reported as doing. He also doesn’t really trash his team or players directly or publicly, so there’s something to be said there versus some other truly dysfunctional players. And, like you said, he mostly produces (even though he slowed down in the second half last year, he still had a good year, and was still the Bills’ wideout by far). I’d say that he’s definitely more mercurial in my eyes than outright dysfunctional.
You don’t remember him going off on Josh Allen during a playoff game 2 years ago? As I understand it, it happens often when he’s not happy
Back in the day George Allen would keep players happy with a cake and ice cream treat. It sounds like just another of George’s weird ideas…but he never had a losing season.
I remember when he dropped the biggest pass of the season last year
That’s fair. I didn’t consider it. But I still don’t consider Diggs to be on the level of, say, an Owens or a Thomas or an Ochocinco. Still mercurial, but definitely not a white hot burning star of that kind antics-wise.
Respectfully, Diggs is a more intelligent malcontent.
He does not do all of his antics in public.
He is also crafty enough to do his visible stuff in such a way that gives him an out. Just ambiguous enough that you know what he is saying, but he won’t say it directly.
He spent all if last season saying he can’t control what happens – only to now say he make it shake out.
He was not a great teammate. And I get tired of all the “he just cares about winning” It implies nobody else does and lets him off the hook for not regulating his emotional intelligence. He wasn’t always helpful.
You didn’t see an outpouring of support from his team when was was traded.
It’s my perception as a Bills fan the locker room will miss the talent – but not the person. He wore out his teammates.
And Im not even convinced he is the same player. Look at his stats last half of 2023.
I remember Kelce going off on Reid on the side lines and Mahomes going off on players on the side lines last year. But when Diggs does it it’s a problem?
You would be ignoring all the behind the scenes stuff if that is all you focus on.
There is more to it than that.
I mean – read the article.
He wanted out of Minny cause they wouldn’t pay him.
He wanted out of Buffalo cause he wanted more money via extension watching himself drop down to 13-14 aav wise despite out performing his current contract.
I don’t blame players for wanting to be paid more especially when teams can just cut you at any point and not pay you the full contract.
But. He’s playing on a 1 year prove it deal. He acts up he turns away potential suitors and hurts his next contract.
So, he was a problem then?
So, you think players shouldn’t want to get paid what they’re worth?
Are you trying to change your argument?
But I believe the Bills willingly took 30 million in cap hit to get rid of him.
He was one of the worst efficient WRs in the last half of the year.
Why do you think it was about money? Ive not seen that reported. Seems like you might be trying to redirect.
30 mill cap hit doesn’t pay Diggs 30 mill. Idk if you know how cap hits work.
“Team trades WR wanting new contract for draft pick” yeah Adams and Hill and Aj Brown were also traded under those circumstances.
On the field him being vocal about not getting the ball when open is no different than Kelce or Mahomes or Brady screaming at players. Or when kj hamler thru his helmet on the ground after Wilson missed a wide open TD to win the game.
Off the field him being vocal about a new contract is something we see every off season
Not sure why it’s a problem when Diggs does this stuff but not when others do it.
My man…
You dont know how the cap works nor do you understand my point. He was such a problem they hurt themselves to get rid of him.
Remember what your initial point was?
This was you: I remember Kelce going off on Reid on the side lines and Mahomes going off on players on the side lines last year. But when Diggs does it it’s a problem
Answer my question: Why do you think its about money? As a rapid Bills fan thats never been reported.
Seems like:
1. You now concede he was a problem. You speculate it was contract driven.
2. You are really just guessing the contract motivation.
Im not sure I need to respond further here. You are not interested in being correct, you just don’t want to seem wrong.
Problem? No not at all. That’s your bad take on the situation. Players wanting to get paid isn’t a problem.
Guessing the contract motivation? Well that take of yours was easily debunked. Diggs willingly took a 1 year deal in the hope of securing new long term contract negating the 4 year 96 mill he previously signed.
You’re right. You don’t need to respond. So far you’re not equipped very well to participate in this conversation further.
Oh that was your point.
So were Adams Hill Brown and all other receivers traded who wanted new contracts also behavior issues by your standard? So if you’re traded cause your team doesn’t want to pay you you’re a behavior problem?
Does that apply to just WRs or to ppl like Khalil Mack Montez Sweat for instance?
Why do I think it’s about money? Cause Diggs willingly took a new contract to play on a 1 year deal in hopes of securing a new long term deal. Why else would he accept a 1 year deal negating the 4 year 96 mill? You’re aware he redid the contract right?
Couple of things:
You will do well to learn to admit when you are wrong. You get credibility when you do. This isn’t message board advice – its life advice.
The Bills traded him because he was not a problem is a weird take.
Also: please take your breaking news to Espn, and all of the local Bills media. You are the first to report Diggs was a contract dispute! You are gonna be famous!
Im aware the Texans redid his contract, but Ive not once – not once even heard speculated in any Bills media his dispute was contract related. Im pretty plugged in to the Bills.
It started with losing to the Chiefs. It was then an issue at OTAs.
I know you agree he was a problem, even if you want to argue it both ways.
Diggs still got 7 targets a game in the second half of last year. Helluva time to make a contract play when you were the least efficient WR in the league.
But – thats your opiny you are able to believe whatever you wish.
Bills traded him cause they didn’t want to pay him a new contract. He wanted either an extension or new contract as he was bumped down the list to 13-14 in aav. Bills didn’t want to pay him after already giving him a decent contract at the time.
How do I know this? Cause he willingly negated his old contract to a 1 year deal and will be seeking a new contract with a higher aav than his old contract had during 2025 free agency. No player is gonna negate a contract and come away with a lower aav than the previous one. Pretty obvious if you pay even the slightest bit of attention to how the trade played out that Diggs wanted more money.
Players wanting more money cause they out perform a contract isn’t an issue. I’m sorry you feel this way.
Players being vocal on side lines when you miss miss open #1 receiver for a big play or look away too soon or run instead of waiting for plays to develop isn’t an issue.
But you’re you’re avoiding my questions.
Is it just Diggs you have an issue wanting a new contract or did you feel the same way about Hill Brown Adams etc?
Is it just an issue Diggs is unhappy on the side lines or are you also critical of Kelce Mahomes etc behaving that way on the side lines?
You don’t know the entire history of the conflict.
That much is clear.
You are really not interested in good faith either. Thats clear.
Read my original post again.
Still avoiding my questions.
Is it just Diggs you have an issue wanting a new contract or did you feel the same way about Hill Brown Adams etc?
Is it just an issue Diggs is unhappy on the side lines or are you also critical of Kelce Mahomes etc behaving that way on the side lines?
I don’t think anybody is saying he isn’t a talented player. Far from it. But he absolutely is a Prima Donna that cries when he doesn’t have the ball thrown to him. There is a reason he has had a bad wrap everywhere he’s been.
There’s not a #1 receiver in the league – and hasn’t been in decades – that doesn’t some level of prima donna in them.
And, really, it starts in high school. Those guys want the football, and think they’re open on every play.
I’ve been doing high school play-by-play for over a decade. Even the best “team guys” have moments when the frustration gets the better of them. It’s the nature of the position.
As a Bears fan I’ve been really impressed with DJ Moore. A legit number 1 WR who isn’t a primadonna. He agreed to an extension that was fair for him and the team. He is the perfect guy to show Odunze how to be.
Stef Diggs has always thought he was better than he actually is. I truly hope that he gets buried on that Texans WR lineup. Dude has always been a drama queen and cried for his touches. Didn’t care what the team was doing as long as he got his looks. Watch Josh Allen have a career year without the princess pissin and moaning about getting the ball thrown to him.
Thought he was better than he actually is? He’s been a legit number one receiver almost his whole career. Josh Allen wasn’t even good until he got there. How dare he have an ego, Lots of receivers do.
I think Diggs is trying to do this bet on himself thing and look to cash in this up coming offseason but he’s really going to regret that decision.
Houston looked terrific last season with Stroud throwing to Collins, Tank, Schultz, Wood, etc.
This year add a healthy John Metchie to that group and the addition of Joe Mixon who will want touches.
Diggs I’m sure will be good but I sure he will also have outburst and likely won’t get resigned by Houston. As for his next team, Dallas just paid Ceedee so I doubt his brother can get him in over there. A lot of good teams don’t need a top tier WR and the ones that do don’t have the money to throw away.
Steelers, Colts and Jags could all make sense.
Steelers would suck in that division with a questionable QB and aging defence.
Jags would be my guess as Colts will need to pay MPJ.
Both Steelers QBs have one year left. I would bet a lot of money their room has a different vibe this time next year.
Other than the Vikings-Saints playoff game where the defender decided not to tackle Diggs, he hasn’t been exactly clutch in the postseason. Even if his numbers are down this year, if he can play big in the Texan’s biggest games, he will get a big pay raise regardless where he goes. I feel Tank Dell will have a big year.
Assuming his late season slumps are not just him throwing a temper tantrum, I think his disappearing act late in the season (at least with the Bills) had more to do with the offense. Bills ranked near the bottom of the league in using motion last year, and I felt like I never saw much pre-snap motion in the few games I did watch (since they often had primetime games). They basically told Diggs and Gabe Davis “go line up and win your route”.
Now as an elite WR there is some expectation that you should be able to win most of your routes but the offense has to throw a bone to the receivers at some point. Teams figure out what your tendencies are and adjust to it the later in the season it gets. Diggs has historically struggled against press coverages going back to his Vikings days, putting him in motion or in bunch/trips formations gets him free releases. The Ken Dorsey-Bills offenses rarely ever used pre-snap motion. Just vanilla concepts because they relied too much on Josh Allen playing Superman, Diggs just somehow winning every route, and their defense being elite.
I never really considered that. I try to watch as many teams as I can to get an idea of their tendencies, and that’s a fairly reasoned point that I did not consider, but makes a lot of sense. Thanks for bringing it up.
Dotson was changed to NISSAN years ago.
Diggs is a selfish locker room cancer. Not a guy I’d want on my team for any reason.