Bengals and Ja'Marr Chase approach a possible showdown

Bengals receiver Ja'Marr Chase literally wanted his new contract yesterday. (Actually, he wanted it two days ago.) The Bengals play the Patriots on Sunday, and we'll all find out then if Chase will be on the field for his fourth year at a total salary of $4.8 million.

The Bengals are reportedly act as if Chase were playingsaid Jeremy Fowler of ESPN.com. However, the Bengals are also willing to change their strategy if he doesn't.

Our money would be on notAs explained on Friday night ahead of the Packers-Eagles game, Chase is ready to sit if he doesn't get what he wants. The Bengals had already listed him as questionable on the injury list, even though he wasn't injured.

On Saturday, the Bengals revised the report and added “illness” to his rating. It doesn't take a genius (which gives me the right to say this) to conclude that Chase laid the groundwork for his decision not to play tomorrow.

But what is the end game? Will Chase simply not play until the Bengals give him what he wants? At what point will the Bengals start playing hardball?

Think back to 2004, when receiver Terrell Owens wanted a reworked contract with the Eagles. The Eagles refused, Owens caused trouble, and the Eagles eventually suspended him for conduct detrimental to the team.

The difference this time is that Owens has been playing (he's averaged over 100 yards receiving in seven games during his season of extreme discontent) and Chase isn't doing shirtless sit-ups in the driveway. But the end result is the same. The player is taking a stand. And the team may not stand for it.

It all depends on Sunday. If he doesn't play, will the Bengals just accept it?

Things could get very interesting soon. But they could also get very ugly. So far, both sides have played nice with each other. However, things could change very soon.