When training camp in the NFL kicked off, the biggest story in the sport was Ja'Marr Chase and his contract extension. Chase was holding out of training camp as he was awaiting a contract extension however, the Bengals seemed unmotivated to get the deal done early. In the moment it felt like the Bengals were going to regret it whether Chase played good or bad this season.
The first two weeks as Chase recorded just 97 yards and the team fell to 0-2 it looked like the rust was effecting the Chase and the offense. From that point on, Chase was unbelievable and quickly cemented himself as 1A or 1B to Justin Jefferson. The decision however will weigh on the Bengals as they missed the Playoffs by just one game and the opening game loss to the Patriots aged terribly.
Ja'Marr Chase finished the season with 127 catches for 1,708 yards, and 17 touchdowns averaging 13.4 yards per reception. Chase led the NFL in all three statistics taking home the Wide Receiver Triple Crown.
JA'MARR CHASE IS THE TRIPLE CROWN KING 👑
— ESPN (@espn) January 6, 2025
He's only the second player to lead the NFL in all three categories in the same season since 2005 🤯 pic.twitter.com/FBUFyJX38u
Ja'Marr Chase became the 5th wide receiver since 1970 to win the Triple Crown joining Jerry Rice in 1990, Sterling Sharpe in 1992, Steve Smith Sr in 2005, and Cooper Kupp in 2021.
The season goes down as one of the greatest receiving seasons in NFL History and it comes in just Chase's 4th season in the NFL. Considering the Bengals got the most yards and touchdowns out of Joe Burrow, the Triple Crown out of Chase, and the most sacks from Trey Hendrickson, it's extremely disappointing they wasted what should've been an incredible year.
This offseason, the Bengals will have to extend Ja'Marr Chase and after making him go out and prove it this season, the price tag has only gone up and its one the Bengals have to pay.