CINCINNATI — Cincinnati Bengals large receiver Ja’Marr Chase took a web page out of a reporter’s pocket book on Tuesday.
In the midst of an interview, he began asking questions to seek out a solution that has eluded the Bengals for a number of years. When requested about whether or not enjoying within the preseason may assist Cincinnati clear up its sluggish begins, Chase eyed the semicircle of media members by his locker and rattled off a sequence of questions with a easy premise: What have been the data for the Bengals within the first two weeks of the season and the way a lot did Cincinnati observe within the preseason?
In coach Zac Taylor’s six seasons, the Bengals have sparingly used starters in preseason video games. Throughout that span, Cincinnati has a 1-11 report, the worst within the NFL. After operating reporters by the slew of 0-2 begins to a number of seasons, Chase wrapped up his questions and arrived at a conclusion.
“Appears like we have to play within the preseason, huh?” Chase quipped after the group’s first voluntary OTA.
Cincinnati’s starters have hardly ever seen the sector within the group’s exhibition contests previous Week 1. Final 12 months, offensive starters performed solely the primary sequence of the group’s preseason opener towards Tampa Bay. The one different prevalence was within the 2021 preseason finale, a three-play sequence that featured a Chase-dropped move on a display screen move that just about felt forgotten.
“It wasn’t an amazing display screen,” Chase recalled, drawing a couple of laughs. “I bear in mind what occurred now.”
However the way in which Cincinnati has began every of the previous six seasons has drawn something however smiles. Final season, the Bengals went 0-3 to begin the 12 months, together with a Week 1 loss to the New England Patriots, which completed with a 4-13 report that resulted in coach Jerod Mayo’s firing after one 12 months.
However that defeat additionally sums up among the points which have plagued the Bengals originally of every season. For starters, quarterback Joe Burrow has handled a critical harm in yearly besides his rookie season in 2020, which was impacted by the COVID-19 pandemic.
Final season additionally featured Chase’s first intensive on-field motion after a contract dispute that prompted him to skip the entire group’s coaching camp exercises.
“I may say I wasn’t mentally able to be on the sector,” Chase mentioned on Tuesday. “I used to be in my very own head. You recognize what I am saying? I needed to play, however I used to be in my very own head.”
As with every season, the Bengals finally made amends for his or her sluggish begin. However even with a 9-8 general report, these early losses have been a serious motive why Cincinnati missed the playoffs for the second straight 12 months, regardless of profession years from a number of prime gamers.
Final week, Taylor steered the way in which the group will deal with preseason video games will change in 2025.
“The one factor I do be ok with is enjoying our guys within the preseason,” Taylor mentioned. “That is all the time topic to vary, relying on well being and the way issues go together with our group throughout coaching camp, however that is one factor that we have overtly talked about with our gamers, and I believe will assist us as we do it.”
That will not be the one completely different dynamic this 12 months. Chase now not has to fret about his contract standing after the group signed him to a four-year deal price $161 million. The typical annual wage is the very best for a non-quarterback in league historical past.
Bengals large receiver Tee Higgins additionally acquired a contract extension this offseason. As a substitute of enjoying on the franchise tag for a second straight 12 months, Higgins earned a four-year deal price $115 million.
“Hopefully that is the beginning of [starting fast in 2025],” Chase mentioned.
As with yearly, Chase can have lofty private objectives for the upcoming season. However the major focus is getting the Bengals again to the highest of the AFC North.
“My largest factor this 12 months, going ahead, is making the playoffs, man,” Chase mentioned. “We bought to get to the playoffs. That is my first step, however [the] group objective is to win the division.”
