Ja’Marr Chase Expresses Frustration With Bengals Offense
The Cincinnati Bengals have been one of the NFL’s most explosive offenses since 2021. With Ja’Marr Chase, Tee Higgins and Tyler Boyd and quarterback Joe Burrow slinging them the pigskin, they boast the NFL’s top WR trio and a top-3 QB.
However, the offense has seemed to traditionally get off to a slow start over the past two seasons. This may be due to Burrow never having a normal offseason. Burrow tore his ACL in 2020, COVID protocols were in place in 2021, his appendix ruptured in 2022, and he recently strained his calf in training camp.
It could be why Burrow has seemed to struggle at the start of the year. In Week 1 last year, Burrow threw four interceptions and went on to start the season 0-2.
The same cycle is happening again in 2023. Burrow struggled mightily in Week 1 of this year, throwing for just 82 yards and no touchdowns with a measly 45.2 completion percentage against the Cleveland Browns. The Bengals are, once again, 0-2 after losing a 27-24 contest against the Baltimore Ravens this past Sunday.
Burrow played better in Week 2, throwing for 222 yards, two touchdowns to one interception while completing 65.2 percent of his passes. However, Ja’Marr Chase has seemingly been invisible in the offense. He’s snagged just 10 catches for 70 yards and no touchdowns through two weeks.
“[Gotta get] some go routes in there − just some downfield shots that way we can come back to anything else underneath,” Chase said, via Shelby Dermer of the Cincinnati Enquirer. “We really haven’t taken that many shots downfield. If you look at the last two games, you don’t really see that many shots downfield. We gotta take more shots downfield. That’s why we have deep-threat guys. Take a chance.”
After Chase’s breakout 2021 season, where he put up 1,455 yards and 13 touchdowns, on his way to winning Rookie of the Year, defenses have been playing the Bengals’ offense much softer. This has resulted in more checkdowns and fewer deep throws.
However, the offense needs a spark, and getting your generational receivers the ball is a must.
Joe Burrow was seen walking off the field gingerly after the Ravens game on Sunday. Head coach Zac Taylor didn’t offer much of an update about Burrow’s outlook for next Monday night’s matchup against the Rams. The hope around the team will certainly be that he’s well enough to help the unit get back to its old level of productivity.
Also, here’s hoping that Trey’s prediction of Ja’Marr Chase finishing the 2023-24 NFL Season as the fantasy football WR1 comes true.
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