Ja'Marr Chase's Latest Post Raises Concerns Amidst Bengals' Ongoing Struggles
Feb 2, 2026; San Francisco, CA, USA; Cincinnati Bengals receiver Ja'Marr Chase (1) during AFC practice at the NFL Flag Fieldhouse at Moscone Center South Building. Mandatory Credit: Kirby Lee-Imagn Images
Feb 2, 2026; San Francisco, CA, USA; Cincinnati Bengals receiver Ja'Marr Chase (1) during AFC practice at the NFL Flag Fieldhouse at Moscone Center South Building. Mandatory Credit: Kirby Lee-Imagn Images
Ja'Marr Chase is not at Cincinnati's voluntary OTAs. The Bengals WR is running his own offseason program away from the team facility while his teammates work out in Cincinnati.
Amid all that, the WR posted a cryptic message on his social media.
"Can't be mad when you already knew what you was walking into," Chase wrote, per Yahoo Sports.
But Chase's absence is costing him. His contract includes a $100,000 workout bonus for 2026 that he is leaving on the table by skipping voluntary sessions.
Chase signed a four-year, $161 million extension in March 2025, the highest-paid non-quarterback deal in NFL history at the time, with a 2026 cap hit of $26.2 million.
But this post is not about money or friction with the organization.
"Rather than indicating drama or an injury, this absence is viewed internally as a veteran star transitioning to his own preferred offseason program," the Sporting News reported on May 24.
Chase is expected back for Cincinnati's mandatory minicamp from June 16 to 18.
That said, the Bengals are trying to bounce back from the 6-11 season, and their quarterback, Joe Burrow, believes they will win the Super Bowl this year.
“A Happy Joe Burrow,” Says Analyst Ahead Of 2026 Season
Joe Burrow himself recently said this is the most talented roster he has seen since arriving in Cincinnati.
A statement that caught the attention of ESPN analyst and a Super Bowl champion, Jason McCourty, on Get Up.
"When they made the moves they made this offseason, bringing in winners to the organization, people that won Super Bowls…Then you make a trade and you go get Dexter Lawrence…Hearing Joe Burrow say this is the best team since I've been here, he's already been to a Super Bowl…There's a happy Joe Burrow!" McCourty said on May 22.
Seems like the Bengals are ready to break their three-year playoff drought this season, and may be Burrow starts having fun again.
What are your thoughts? Let us know in the comments.
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Written by
Farheen Fathima
Edited by
Shubhi Rathore