CINCINNATI — Cincinnati Bengals large receiver Ja’Marr Chase took a web page out of a reporter’s pocket book on Tuesday.
In the course 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 taking part in within the preseason may assist Cincinnati remedy its gradual begins, Chase eyed the semi-circle of media members surrounding his locker and began rattling off a sequence of questions with a easy premise – what have been the information for the Bengals within the first two weeks of the season and the way a lot did Cincinnati follow 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 working reporters by means of the slew of 0-2 begins to a number of seasons, Chase wrapped up his questions and arrived at a conclusion.
“Seems like we have to play within the preseason, huh?” Chase quipped after the workforce’s first voluntary OTA.
Cincinnati’s starters have not often seen the sector within the workforce’s exhibition contests previous Week 1. Final yr, offensive starters solely performed the opening sequence of the workforce’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 go on a display go that nearly felt forgotten.
“It wasn’t an important display,” Chase recalled, drawing just a few laughs. “I bear in mind what occurred now.”
However the best way Cincinnati has began every of the final six seasons has drawn something however smiles. Final season, the Bengals went 0-3 to start out the yr, together with a Week 1 loss to the New England Patriots, which completed the season with a 4-13 report that resulted in coach Jerod Mayo’s firing after one yr.
However that defeat additionally sums up a few of the points which have plagued the Bengals at the start of every season. For starters, quarterback Joe Burrow has handled a severe harm in yearly besides his rookie season in 2020, which was impacted by the COVID-19 pandemic.
Final season additionally featured Chase’s first in depth on-field motion after a contract dispute that prompted him to skip all the workforce’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 gradual begin. However even with a 9-8 total report, these early losses have been a significant cause why Cincinnati missed the playoffs for the second straight yr, regardless of profession years from a number of prime gamers.
Final week, Taylor urged the best way the workforce will deal with preseason video games will change in 2025.
“The one factor I do be ok with is taking part in 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 workforce throughout coaching camp, however that is one factor that we have overtly talked about with our gamers, and I feel will assist us as we do it.”
That will not be the one totally different dynamic this yr. Chase now not has to fret about his contract standing after the workforce signed him to a four-year deal value $161 million. The common annual wage is the best for a non-quarterback in league historical past.
Bengals large receiver Tee Higgins additionally acquired a contract extension this offseason. As an alternative of taking part in on the franchise tag for a second straight yr, Higgins earned a four-year deal value $115 million.
“Hopefully that is the beginning of (beginning quick),” Chase mentioned.
As with yearly, Chase may have lofty private targets for the upcoming season. However the major focus is getting the Bengals again to the highest of the AFC North.
“My largest factor this yr, going ahead, is making the playoffs, man,” Chase mentioned. “We acquired to get to the playoffs. That is my first step, however (the) workforce aim is to win the division.”
