Three-time Pro Bowl wide receiver Ja’Marr Chase has diversified his game on the field during his four seasons (note his work in the slot), and this week he flashed his growing leadership role.
Chase gathered his fellow receivers on the field at Thursday's practice as the Bengals prepared for another Arrowhead Stadium sojourn for Sunday's AFC steel cage match game against the two-time Super Bowl champion Chiefs (4:25 p.m.-Cincinnati's Local 12). He told them it was time they played like they're good enough to dethrone them.
"Stepping more into it," said Chase after Friday's practice of his leadership leanings.
On Thursday, he took one of those steps when he was asked if the Bengals still consider themselves a top rival to the Chiefs.
"One hundred percent. Everybody knows that, bro," Chase said. "We are the team to beat in the AFC. We have to act like it. We have to play like it, too."
Chase was just as blunt in his remarks to the receivers.
"I told the receivers you couldn't ask for a better game to bounce back," Chase said. "Both teams don't like each other. You couldn't ask for a better time to get a win. For a better time for the quarterback and receivers to play better. To play better for the offense as a whole. It's a game for us to make a mark here."
If there was ever anything lingering over the negotiations for a contract extension, the six targets for six catches on 84% of the snaps in the opener went a long way in looking ahead. Then, his actions during the week proved beyond a doubt he's trying to help get his team right for the long haul.
"That's been what of the Ja'Marr I know," said head coach Zac Taylor after Friday's practice. "This week has been great for him. I think he's done an excellent job. I appreciate the energy. It's been a good week for him."
Chase had a rep for getting pumped up during the week by trash-talking the upcoming foe. There was none of that Thursday. only high praise for Chiefs defensive coordinator Steve Spagnuolo. Now that arch-nemesis L'Jarius Sneed is playing for Brian Callahan in Tennessee, Chase is waiting.
"They just have a great defensive coordinator that uses all his weapons and his secondary," Chase said. "(Sneed) knew his leverage and his help. I'm just going to wait for the game now (to talk trash). I'm four years in now."
On Friday, Chase indicated he's grown a bit weary of the media blowbacks that ensue, and he admitted he's a bit older and wiser.
"Four years in," Chase said. "Live and learn."
INJURY REPORT
Wide receiver Tee Higgins (hamstring) looks like he's on the verge of missing his second straight game after missing every practice this week and being called doubtful for Sunday by Taylor.
Tight end Tanner Hudson (knee) and defensive tackle Kris Jenkins Jr. (thumb) also occupy the doubtful list after Jenkins didn't go this week and Hudson missed Wednesday and Friday. Right tackle Amarius Mims (pectoral) went limited this week and Taylor also called him doubtful.
BROWN JR. TALKS OLD TEAMMATES
Bengals left tackle Orlando Brown Jr. sees old friend Samaje Perine, his Oklahoma teammate and former Bengals running back now working for the Chiefs.
Brown, who left the Chiefs to join the Bengals in 2023, also knows all about Kansas City game-wrecking defensive linemen Chris Jones. With an array of double teams, the Bengals did a good job against Jones last year, and he didn't let him get a sack until the last drive. The year before, Jones dominated the Chiefs' win in the 2022 AFC title game.
"Extremely dominant player. First ballot Hall of Famer. The thing I respect about him is the consistency he's shown over his career," Brown said. "There's a reason he was in the conversation with Aaron Donald when Donald was playing.
"He's such a great player. He's always hard to take out of a game. You never know where he's going to line up and he's super talented everywhere. He'll be over all five of us (offensive linemen) at some point."
Brown's message is clear to his group: "All of these guys are men. They're all humans. Nobody's an alien. It's important to have the proper mindset. You respect his ability, but I also respect my game, too."
MORE JA'MARR
Don't get it wrong. Chase still has the same swag. It will be recalled three years ago it was against the Chiefs when Chase put up a rookie-record 266 yards that included a here-I-am-there-I-go 69-yard touchdown catch.
Asked if it's his favorite play to watch, he said, "I've made a lot of plays, bro. I can't sit here and pick. I'm excited about everything I do."
