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CINCINNATI – Bengals quarterback Joe Burrow’s opening words after the team’s victory over the Minnesota Vikings were squarely aimed at the speech surrounding rookie wide receiver Ja’Marr Chase.
“I thought he was giving it all up,” Burrow joked moments after passing Chase before speaking to the media for his post-game press conference.
Chase, who battled falls in the preseason, had five catches, a team-high, for 101 yards and a touchdown in the Bengals’ 27-24 overtime win at Paul Brown Stadium.
The fifth overall pick in this year’s draft said he was aware of all the gossip surrounding his woes and dismissed them all as “trash talk.” After the game, Chase said he was confident he could perform when it counted.
“I know I was going to do it,” Chase said. “It was just a matter of time. Just play my game and focus on what I came here to do and that’s what I did.”
Chase had no falls in his NFL debut which ended up being the most productive by a Bengals rookie in a season opener. He broke the Bengals’ franchise record for receiving yards in a game opener, previously set by Jordan Shipley (82 yards in 2010). The former LSU product had his biggest play of the game when he descended on the straight sideline and landed a 50-yard catch for a touchdown with 35 seconds left in the first half, after which he had does his signature “Griddy” dance in the end zone.
“I thought he did it,” Bengals running back Joe Mixon said. “That’s why we chose him.”
Questions about Chase’s capture ability have been one of the dominant storylines of his rookie training camp. Last week, Chase commented on the difference between college balls and the NFL, which also made headlines.
It wasn’t all media chatter, however. Burrow said he was approached this week by some saying they were hopeful Chase would play well on Sunday. Burrow simply ignored the concerns of his former LSU teammate and told them not to worry. “It’s Sunday is game day,” Burrow said, recalling the conversation. “He’s going to come ready to play.”
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