Cincinnati Bengals wide receiver Ja’Marr Chase faced a challenging offseason and start to the season due to contract negotiations and a shoulder injury. Chase missed all training camp practices while trying to secure a contract extension that never came to fruition.
However, he found some relief when he caught his first touchdown of the season during a recent loss to the Washington Commanders. Reflecting on his tumultuous offseason, Chase expressed his happiness about returning to the field and focusing on playing football.
Despite his lingering shoulder injury, Chase has remained optimistic and fully participated in practice on Thursday. This follows a limited role on Wednesday when the team held a walk-through instead of a full practice.
In the Bengals’ latest loss to the Commanders, Chase had his best performance of the season, recording 128 yards and two touchdowns. Though the Bengals fell to 0-3, his strong showing marked a significant improvement in his form, especially compared to the first two games.
The rocky start to the season stemmed from the chaotic training camp and ongoing contract discussions, which left Chase feeling like football was more of a job than a passion during the initial weeks.
The Bengals also suffered losses to the New England Patriots and Kansas City Chiefs, contributing to their disappointing start. However, Chase’s breakout performance in Week 3 helped lift his spirits, and he is now enjoying the game once again.
The Bengals’ struggles go beyond Chase’s personal challenges, as they are off to their worst start since 2019 when they began the season with 11 consecutive losses. The team is hoping for a turnaround, much like Chase’s recent resurgence on the field. With no wins so far, the pressure is mounting, and the Bengals are desperate for a victory in their upcoming game against the Carolina Panthers.
Chase emphasized the importance of getting a win, stating that the team “a thousand percent” needs to beat Carolina to keep their hopes alive. Historically, only a handful of teams have made the playoffs after starting 0-3, and the Bengals are already in a tough spot.
However, Chase believes the team is close to breaking through, as they have lost their first three games by just a combined 12 points, showing that they are not far from victory.
