PITTSBURGH – On the eve of the regular season, the Pittsburgh Steelers are set to return one of their top players to their AFC North rivals after a contract dispute in the offseason.

According to multiple reports, Cincinnati Bengals star wide receiver Ja’Marr Chase is in uniform at the first practice of the week ahead of Sunday’s Week 1 game against the New England Patriots. While negotiations are ongoing, Chase is taking the necessary steps to compete while also trying to close the deal on a contract extension that will likely be at the top of the value list at his position.

Chase’s rookie contract has two years remaining and includes a fifth-year option for next year worth $21.8 million that Cincinnati acquired, but he is one of the few top players eligible for an extension who has not yet received one.

With so many new contracts signed by receivers in recent months, Chase has “stayed” with the Bengals in hopes of joining the party. Justin Jefferson and CeeDee Lamb have topped the market with average annual values ​​of $35 million and $34 million, respectively, over four years, and Chase’s salary will likely join those ranks once he comes to terms with Cincinnati.

Chase has participated in the team’s workouts over the past few days, and Bengals head coach Zac Taylor described his availability at those workouts as “day-to-day” while the two sides work things out.

He was with the team during training camp and even participated in select practices, although he never changed his stance on participating in team meetings and had not played before Wednesday.

Chase has rushed for 3,717 yards and 29 touchdowns on 268 passes caught in his three years in the NFL. In four career games against the Steelers, he has rushed for 314 yards and three touchdowns on 21 passes caught.

Pittsburgh travels to Cincinnati in Week 13 before the two teams face off at Acrisure Stadium in Week 18.

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