Seventeen weeks after creating a stir by calling the Cleveland Browns the “Elves” and taking a 24-3 beating in the season opener, Cincinnati Bengals wide receiver Ja’Marr Chase said he’s not looking for any sort of personal redemption in Sunday’s season finale at Paycor Stadium.
“Ain’t much redemption. They goin’ somewhere we ain’t goin’,” Chase said, referring to the playoffs. “I mean, I could beat them, but everybody ain’t playin’. There ain’t really bragging rights.”
Bengals WR Ja’Marr Chase Facing Football Life Without Tyler Boyd, Tee Higgins
During a 15-minute interview with reporters, further illustrating why the Cincinnati chapter of the Pro Football Writers Association named him this year’s winner of the Media Cooperation Award, Chase touched on a number of topics, including his playing status for Sunday, his pursuit of 100 catches, what he wants in his next contract, and coming to the harsh realization that this could be his last game with teammates Tyler Boyd and Tee Higgins.
Ja’Marr Chase named Cincinnati chapter of the PFWA’s Media Cooperation Award winner.
“That’s crazy, guys,” Ted Karras said from across the locker room. “I thought I was gonna be a repeat winner.” pic.twitter.com/nUTT1JbItq
— Jay Morrison (@ByJayMorrison) January 4, 2024
“It hit me this week that the opportunity might not be there,” he said when asked about continuing as a teammate to Higgins and Boyd, both of whom will be free agents in March.
“It definitely hit me,” Chase added. “There are a lot of memories, a lot of laughs, a lot of bonding going on with those guys. It’s something I can’t explain.”
Whether the Bengals make an offer to either receiver or use the franchise tag on Higgins will be one of the bigger storylines of the offseason. And even if the team does try to re-sign both receivers, it doesn’t mean it will be successful.
Chase said he’s not going to interject his opinion, but it’s already well-known.
“They know I want them (to stay),” Chase said. “They know what I want, but at the end of the day, it’s what they want. I won’t hold nobody back from what they want. I’ll support anything they do. Those are my brothers.”
As for his own contract negotiations, as he becomes eligible for an extension, Chase said, “Lord knows I want to do that.”.
Asked if Justin Jefferson needs to sign first before he will sign, Chase responded, “Hell, yeah,” and laughed.
Chase offered an idea of what he will be looking for from the office in terms of the structure of the contract.
“Probably just up front (guaranteed money), for real,” Chase said.
What about guaranteed money in Year 2?
“I don’t know. You’re goin’ a little too far now,” Chase joked with a reporter. “I gave you a little spice. Don’t take all of it.”
As for his immediate future, Chase said he’s playing Sunday despite his shoulder injury.
MORE: Cincinnati Bengals Depth Chart
After labeling his shoulder as 70 percent for last week’s loss at Kansas City, he put it at “about 73” percent currently.
“I do plan on playing. Physically, I’m alright,” Chase said. “I’m still here, getting better. The treatment’s getting better. I’m stronger, so I’m making progress.”
Chase’s 96 catches this season are a career high. He’s made it clear he one day wants to break T.J. Houshmandzadeh’s team record of 112, but if he can haul in four passes Sunday, he would be just the third player in franchise history to catch 100. Carl Pickens had 100 in 1996.
“It’s pretty important to me,” Chase said of getting to 100. “It’s something I hope I achieve. I want to get to 113 — 114 to be exact. That’s my biggest goal.”
Asked if he plans on playing 60 minutes Sunday or if he’ll call it a day if/when he gets to 100, Chase started to answer the question but stopped himself.
“That’s upstairs, man. If I made the decision, I probably wouldn’t … never mind,” Chase said with a laugh.
Told to feel free to finish the thought, Chase said, “Nah. Y’all got it.”
The Bengals have been saying since the immediate aftermath of the loss to the Chiefs that Sunday’s finale isn’t meaningless, and they will be playing to win. They clearly want anybody who is capable of playing to play, and that includes Chase.
But Chase would go on to say all the right things about wanting to play.
“I just want to show the guys I’ll put my body on the line,” he said. “I love football. That’s the biggest thing. And you never really know when it’s going to be your last game.”
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