Cincinnati Bengals head coach Zac Taylor addressed the post-game comments made by star wide receiver Ja’Marr Chase after Sunday’s tough loss to the Los Angeles Chargers, insisting that the two are “very much on the same page.”
Despite Chase’s frustration and emotional remarks following the game, Taylor dismissed any suggestion of discord between them.
In a locker room interview after the loss, Chase had expressed his disappointment over the Bengals’ inability to close out games.
When asked about how the team could improve in those situations, he said, “I don’t know. Ask Zac [Taylor]. Ask the coaches. Don’t ask me. That’s not my job.
I play football on the field, I don’t call plays for us. So I can’t really do nothing.” Of the Bengals’ seven losses this season, six have been by a single score.
During his weekly press conference on Tuesday, Taylor responded to the situation, explaining that he didn’t mind seeing players express emotion after tough games.
“When you’ve got a guy that works as hard as he does, leaves it all on the field, I do think things can look differently than what they really are,” said Taylor.
“He’s one of the most genuine players I’ve ever been around. He’s honest, insightful, and puts it all out there for us. I don’t have problems with guys that work as hard as they do speaking with emotion after the game, speaking with passion.”
Taylor reassured the media that he and Chase have a strong working relationship and are aligned in their goals.
“He and I are very much on the same page, and I appreciate the work he puts in. Sometimes, postgame, it gets emotional. And that’s the way it is,” Taylor continued.
Despite the Bengals’ struggles in the past month, where they’ve gone 1-3, Chase has remained one of the team’s brightest performers.
Over the last four games—three of which were played without fellow wide receiver Tee Higgins—Chase has caught 34 passes for 436 yards and six touchdowns.
On Sunday, he tallied 75 yards with seven catches and two touchdowns, marking the first time this season that he has recorded multiple touchdown receptions in consecutive games, and only the second time in his career.
“I talk to Ja’Marr every week. I’m confident we’re always on the same page,” Taylor said. “There’s not a non-relationship there with the player.
These are things that we try to be proactive about, to put them in the best position possible to succeed. And I feel very confident that we put Ja’Marr in the best position possible to succeed.”
As of Week 11, Chase leads the NFL in receptions (73), receiving yards (1,056), and touchdowns (12).
He is one of only three players in the league to be targeted 100 or more times, and his 14.5 yards per reception ranks fourth among receivers who have been targeted at least 45 times.
“I don’t ever hold it against a player when, after the game, they have an emotional response,” Taylor said.
“We’ll continue to move forward as a team. I love working with him, I’m thankful he’s on our team. He just wants to win, we all want to win.”
The Bengals will have a bye week and return to action on Sunday, December 1, for their first meeting of the season with the AFC North-leading Pittsburgh Steelers.
