Cincinnati Bengals running back Chase Brown comes into this year with a future payday riding on a productive season.
NFL.com’s Gregg Rosenthal ranked Brown No. 18 on his list of the NFL’s top 25 potential free agents for 2027, putting the fourth-year running back alongside some of the league’s most notable upcoming free agents.
“A three-down threat, Brown is underrated as a receiver and in escaping tight spaces,” Rosenthal wrote. “He’s a complete back who could have a James Cook-like trajectory.”
Brown is coming off his best NFL season, rushing for 1,019 yards while adding 69 receptions for 437 yards. His 1,456 yards from scrimmage led Cincinnati, and he scored 11 total touchdowns.
His role could grow even further.
ESPN’s Ben Baby reported Saturday
that Cincinnati plans to significantly reduce its reliance on shotgun formations this season, with part of the goal being to use Brown in more areas of the formation.
Brown is entering the final year of his rookie contract after the Bengals drafted him in the fifth round in 2023. Cincinnati and Brown’s representatives have previously discussed an extension, but no deal has materialized.
A strong season could make keeping Brown considerably more expensive -- and Rosenthal’s early ranking suggests the rest of the NFL is taking notice.
This article originally appeared on Bengals Wire: Bengals 'underrated' RB among NFL’s top 2027 free agents
