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Ben Child
CINCINNATI — Cincinnati Bengals broad receiver Ja’Marr Chase took a web page out of a reporter’s pocket book on Tuesday.
In the course of an interview, he began asking questions to search out a solution that has eluded the Bengals for a number of years. When requested about whether or not taking part in within the preseason may assist Cincinnati resolve its gradual begins, Chase eyed the semicircle of media members by his locker and rattled off a sequence of questions with a easy premise: What had been the information for the Bengals within the first two weeks of the season and the way a lot did Cincinnati apply within the preseason?
In coach Zac Taylor’s six seasons, the Bengals have sparingly used starters in preseason video games. Throughout that span, Cincinnati has a 1-11 report, the worst within the NFL. After working reporters by means of the slew of 0-2 begins to a number of seasons, Chase wrapped up his questions and arrived at a conclusion.
“Feels like we have to play within the preseason, huh?” Chase quipped after the staff’s first voluntary OTA.
Cincinnati’s starters have hardly ever seen the sphere within the staff’s exhibition contests previous Week 1. Final 12 months, offensive starters performed solely the primary sequence of the staff’s preseason opener in opposition to Tampa Bay. The one different incidence was within the 2021 preseason finale, a three-play sequence that featured a Chase-dropped cross on a display cross that nearly felt forgotten.
“It wasn’t a terrific display,” Chase recalled, drawing just a few laughs. “I bear in mind what occurred now.”
However the best way Cincinnati has began every of the previous six seasons has drawn something however smiles. Final season, the Bengals went 0-3 to begin the 12 months, together with a Week 1 loss to the New England Patriots, which completed with a 4-13 report that resulted in coach Jerod Mayo’s firing after one 12 months.
However that defeat additionally sums up among the points which have plagued the Bengals in the beginning of every season. For starters, quarterback Joe Burrow has handled a severe harm in yearly besides his rookie season in 2020, which was impacted by the COVID-19 pandemic.
Final season additionally featured Chase’s first intensive on-field motion after a contract dispute that prompted him to skip the entire staff’s coaching camp exercises.
“I may say I wasn’t mentally able to be on the sphere,” Chase stated on Tuesday. “I used to be in my very own head. You understand what I am saying? I wished to play, however I used to be in my very own head.”
As with every season, the Bengals ultimately made amends for his or her gradual begin. However even with a 9-8 total report, these early losses had been a significant motive why Cincinnati missed the playoffs for the second straight 12 months, regardless of profession years from a number of prime gamers.
Final week, Taylor prompt the best way the staff will deal with preseason video games will change in 2025.
“The one factor I do be ok with is taking part in our guys within the preseason,” Taylor stated. “That is at all times topic to vary, relying on well being and the way issues go along with our staff throughout coaching camp, however that is one factor that we have brazenly talked about with our gamers, and I believe will assist us as we do it.”
That will not be the one totally different dynamic this 12 months. Chase now not has to fret about his contract standing after the staff signed him to a four-year deal value $161 million. The common annual wage is the very best for a non-quarterback in league historical past.
Bengals broad receiver Tee Higgins additionally acquired a contract extension this offseason. As an alternative of taking part in on the franchise tag for a second straight 12 months, Higgins earned a four-year deal value $115 million.
“Hopefully that is the beginning of [starting fast],” Chase stated.
As with yearly, Chase can have lofty private objectives for the upcoming season. However the major focus is getting the Bengals again to the highest of the AFC North.
“My largest factor this 12 months, going ahead, is making the playoffs, man,” Chase stated. “We bought to get to the playoffs. That is my first step, however [the] staff purpose is to win the division.”
