Ja’Marr Chase went back to crafting a new list of goals and Trey Hendrickson went back to his workouts as they celebrated their selections to the NFL's coveted All-Pro First Team.
Chase, the Bengals' Triple Crown receiver, and Hendrickson, their NFL sack champion, were named by the Associated Press Friday after their dominant seasons.
Chase's selection was a unanimous vote, as was his former LSU running mate Justin Jefferson at the receiver position.
"I'm glad that it's finally being said by someone else instead of me," said Chase, only the third man in this century to lead the NFL in catches, receiving yards and touchdowns. "I feel blessed that I'm in this situation."
Hendrickson paced the NFL in 2024 with 17.5 sacks, which tied his career high set a year ago. Last season he was runner-up to T.J. Watt. This year, he became Cincinnati's first sack champion and never trailed after a career-best four sacks against the Raiders on Nov. 3.
"So many people to thank," Hendrickson said. "My wife has been so supportive every step of the way. Galatians 6:9 says 'In proper time you'll reap the harvest.' There's no greater verse for me because it was a grind for my whole NFL career. It's truly a blessing and an honor and I'm incredibly honored."
Ever since he came into the league as the fifth overall pick in the 2021 draft, Chase has talked about his goals that he places on his mirror and stares at every day — a routine that began when he was a freshman at LSU.
Now, he admits all his individual goals have been checked off. He'll have to get to work on another set.
"Basically," said Chase, the first Bengals wide receiver to earn first-team All-Pro status since Chad Johnson in 2007 and 2008. Chase collected second-team accolades following his historic 2021 rookie campaign.
He may have the first new item. Told that no one since World War II has won multiple Triple Crowns, Chase said, "We'll get that."
Hendrickson, who has the third-most sacks in the decade of the 2020s, says he has been in the weight room since he all but clinched the league sack title last Saturday night at Pittsburgh. His 3.5 sacks helped seal a must-win game against the Steelers, and also landed him his third career AFC Defensive Player of the Week award.
"Both are tremendous honors," said Hendrickson when asked what meant more between the sack title and All-Pro selection. "I try to play as hard as I can for as long as I can, and sack (titles) are out of my control. Being recognized as an All-Pro, I'm so grateful to be named and proud to do it for this city and this organization."
Chase and Hendrickson are the first Bengals to net first-team All-Pro honors since defensive tackle Geno Atkins and left tackle Andrew Whitworth made the 2015 team. They shared the enjoyment of watching each other the past 17 games.
"He had an outstanding year. Played his best every game," Chase said.
"Any time you're talking about a Triple Crown and the elite few people who have done that in their lives is pretty rare air," Hendrickson said. "To be named with one of the most talented football players I've ever seen is incredible.
"You see how hard he works as well. People probably think he just shows up and balls out, which I think he could have. But I know he works, he grinds, he's earned my respect, and I know he sees me. Continuing that work we've been putting in for years, it does pay off."
