Bengals’ Ja’Marr Chase Happy to Be Past ‘All This BS That Was Going on’ Before Season

Scott Polacek@@ScottPolacekFeatured Columnist IVSeptember 26, 2024

Ian Johnson/Icon Sportswire via Getty Images

Cincinnati Bengals wide receiver Ja’Marr Chase brought plenty of headlines and an additional spotlight to the AFC North team when he chose to skip training camp practices in the hope of landing a new contract even though he is signed through the 2025 campaign.

Well, now he’s happy to be past all that “BS” that just so happened to be following the team around this offseason.

“All this BS that was going on this offseason and prior to the season, I’m just happy that it’s over with,” Chase said Thursday, per ESPN’s Ben Baby. “I’m finally playing ball and having fun with the guys. That’s what matters most for me.”

Chase worked his way back into the lineup during the first two games, which were losses to the New England Patriots and Kansas City Chiefs. He tallied a combined 10 catches for 97 yards and zero touchdowns in those contests.

But the Chase that Bengals fans are accustomed to returned to the field during a Week 3 loss to the Washington Commanders.

NFL @NFLBURROW TO CHASE. 41-YARD TD.

📺: #WASvsCIN on ABC
📱: Stream on #NFLPlus and ESPN+ pic.twitter.com/DJW1LY5mdS

He posted six catches for 118 yards and two touchdowns and was largely unstoppable as the offense started to look like one of the league’s best with the return of Tee Higgins (hamstring) as well.

However, Cincinnati’s defense was nowhere to be found and didn’t force a single turnover or punt while making rookie quarterback Jayden Daniels look like prime Tom Brady for stretches.

It’s getting late early for the 0-3 Bengals, who still have two games against each of the Baltimore Ravens and Pittsburgh Steelers in addition to matchups with the Philadelphia Eagles, Los Angeles Chargers and Dallas Cowboys, among others.

Chase and the Bengals could use a win during Sunday’s game against the 1-2 Carolina Panthers, so it’s a good thing for the team that the wide receiver is over the offseason drama even though he never landed a contract.