Who Should I Start? Ja'Marr Chase or Josh Palmer

Wednesday, January 29, 7:58 PM

Cincinnati Bengals All-Pro wide receiver Ja'Marr Chase is entering the final year of his rookie deal with the team in 2025 after not being able to agree on a new contract last offseason. This offseason, director of personnel Duke Tobin said a long-term extension for Chase will be "a priority for us." The Bengals should expect Chase's representation to ask for significantly more than what Cincy's final offer was last year after he led the NFL in receiving yards (1,708), receptions (127) and touchdowns (17) to capture the receiving Triple Crown. The 24-year-old will be a finalist for Offensive Player of the Year. When everything is said and done, Chase will be the league's highest-paid non-quarterback in league history. The Vikings' Justin Jefferson reset the WR market with a four-year deal worth $140 million, which Chase will exceed. For good reason, Chase will be the first WR off the board in fantasy drafts in 2025.

Thursday, January 9, 4:04 PM

According to Tom Pelissero of the NFL Network, Los Angeles Chargers wide receiver Josh Palmer (foot) has been ruled out for Saturday's playoff game against the Houston Texans. Palmer sat out last weekend with the same injury and will now miss his second-straight game. Palmer could not practice all week, which suggests he may have trouble suiting up next weekend if the Chargers were to defeat the Texans on Saturday afternoon. Over his previous four games, Palmer has seen six targets per game and averaged 42.5 yards per game. Wide receiver Quentin Johnston (thigh/illness) is also listed as questionable, which could leave rookie Ladd McConkey as the lone pass catcher in the wide receiver room available against a struggling Houston secondary that has allowed the 11th-most PPR points to opposing wideouts this season.