The Cincinnati Bengals are lucky enough to have arguably the best wide receiver in the NF: with Ja’Marr Chase. While he has always been a major play maker since entering the league, the top front office members and coaches recognize he isn’t simply your normal No. 1 wide receiver.
A big thing that has made Chase so hard to defend consistently is his ability to play from the slot as well as anywhere else on the field. It simply makes it harder on defenses to properly double cover him without committing
defenders from unusual places to help. While that may slow down Chase at times, it can easily open some other players over the middle.
It also means it is almost impossible for a team’s top corner to truly shadow Chase the entire game. Some corners simply do not have the agility needed to play in that much open space. Slot corners are getting better and better, but it is rare teams have one good enough to clamp onto one of the best.
You see more and more teams embracing doing this with their top wide receivers, but it simply isn’t as easy as lining them up in the slot. Chase has worked pretty hard over his tenure in Zac Taylor’s offense to learn the slot position role, how the routes need to be run and simply having the physical ability to play there.
There is a reason Chase maintains his ability to stay at the top of the leading wide receivers year after year. He puts so much work into his craft to learn almost what route is being run by every position on a given play. It is just hard to counter as a defense.
What are some of your favorite plays from Chase over the years?
Bengals News
“The Cincinnati Bengals have developed Ja’Marr Chase into the best wide receiver in the NFL. ESPN’s annual survey of over 70 executives, coaches, and scouts has Chase taking the No. 1 WR spot for the second year in a row.”
Bengals Open in Orange with Orange out on Sept. 13 Against Tampa Bay Buccaneers
“Open In Orange is an exciting tradition that features a weeklong celebration with different events leading up to the home opener designed to bring fans together and give back to the community. Buildings across the downtown area will transform the skyline that weekend as they Light Up Cincinnati Orange. The limited-edition 2026 Season Shirt will be available at the Bengals Pro Shop beginning Friday, Aug. 7 with proceeds benefiting Freestore Foodbank and helping to support Hunger Action Month.“
Former Bengals QB already facing surprise competition with new team
The problem is that Browning might not be a shoo-in to make the 53-man roster with his new team. According to Josh Crysler of The Pewter Plank, Browning has some stealthy competition in the form of Jalon Daniels. For those who don’t know that name, Daniels was an undrafted quarterback out of the University of Kansas who landed with the Buccaneers and is clearly impressing the fans down in Florida.
Dexter Lawrence pushes back on the narrative about his new chapter with the Cincinnati Bengals
“I’m still out there clangin’ and bangin’,” Lawrence told ESPN’s Ben Baby. “Fresh start is more a retirement, but I would just say continuing my legacy, and this is part of my journey.”
Chargers may have a clear suitor if Kimani Vidal trade buzz proves real
For a team like the Bengals, who desperately need depth behind their lead running back in Chase Brown, a move for Vidal could make perfect sense. Currently, Cincinnati has Samaje Perine as their only other back with significant NFL experience. Tahj Brooks, who seems lined up to be RB3, took 16 touches last season and averaged just 2.8 yards-per-attempt.
Bart Scott is saying weird things about Joe Burrow, Bengals again
Scott targeted Burrow’s injury history during his commentary: “This isn’t Madden. We don’t get to just put them out there. Wear and tear is part of the game. Injuries. Durability. You can’t turn injuries off, it matters.”
