Ja’Marr Chase just completed the best season that a rookie wide receiver has ever had and the Cincinnati Bengals‘ No. 5 overall pick knew all along that the season he just put together was entirely possible.
Following the Bengals’ 21-16 loss to the Browns where Cincy rested the majority of their starters, Zac Taylor spoke to the media and praised Chase’s efforts. He said that when the team drafted Chase, the wide receiver said he was going to break records and said he put himself in the perfect position to do just that.
Zac on Chase: When we drafted him he said he was gonna break all the records. He's put himself in position to do that by becoming a professional from Day 1. We want our best players to have our best work ethic. Ja'Marr has been that for us.
— Jay Morrison (@JayMorrisonATH) January 9, 2022
Chase had the best game for a Bengals receiver of all-time last week with his 266 yard-three touchdown performance vs. Kansas City and then continued on with his record-breaking ways. He now has the most receiving yards in a single season in Bengals history, passing Chad Johnson’s number for the 2007 season.
This is all most impressive considering how much flack the Bengals received for drafting Chase with the fifth overall pick despite their need for an offensive lineman. He showed that they made the right choice, finishing his rookie campaign with 1,455 yards and 13 touchdowns.
Chase knew all along that he was capable of putting up these kinds of numbers.
When asked at his media session about what he said after being drafted, Chase admitted to it.
"I do. That's why I said it." Ja'Marr Chase on fulfilling his promise of setting records. "It was just saying I could anything I set my mind to... Hopefully, I can break some playoff records." #Bengals #RuleTheJungle
— Mike Petraglia (@Trags) January 9, 2022
Ja’Marr Chase knew he was going to do major damage as a rookie
It hasn’t been the easiest of sledding for Chase in Cincinnati.
First and foremost was the whole “Chase vs Penei Sewell” debate, which now seems ridiculous in hindsight. The second was when Chase struggled with drops in the preseason.
He quickly shut everyone up in the season opener when he torched the Vikings to the tune of five catches and 101 yards and a touchdown. He continued to leave opponents in the dust and his Week 7 performance of eight catches for 201 yards and a touchdown looked like he had Offensive Rookie of the Year locked up.
Then came some less-than-stellar weeks but Chase got hot again at the perfect time. He said he wants to break some playoff records and Bengals fans would love nothing more than for that to happen.