Bengals’ Ja’Marr Chase Calls For Major Offensive Change

Times are tough for the Cincinnati Bengals right now.

The Bengals have gotten off to an 0-2 start and rank dead last in the NFL in total offense, averaging just 212 yards per game. They have mustered just 27 points over the first two weeks of the season.

Wide receiver Ja’Marr Chase thinks one of the solutions to Cincy’s offensive struggles is throwing the deep ball more frequently.

“(Got to get) some go routes in there − just some downfield shots that way we can come back to anything else underneath,” Chase told the Cincinnati Enquirer. “We really haven’t taken that many shots downfield. If you look at the last two games, you don’t really see that many shots downfield. We have got to take more shots downfield. That’s why we have deep-threat guys. Take a chance.”

Star quarterback Joe Burrow has struggled mightily in the Bengals’ first two games, throwing for just 304 yards, two touchdowns and an interception while completing a paltry 56.9 percent of his passes and posting a passer rating of 70.6. To make matters worse, Burrow is dealing with a calf injury that has his status for Week 3’s Monday night matchup against the Los Angeles Rams in question.

Chase’s impact has been limited thus far. The third-year wide out has logged 10 catches for just 70 yards, a rather uncharacteristic lack of production for the downfield burner.

The 23-year-old, who played his collegiate football at LSU, was selected by Cincinnati with the fifth overall pick of the 2021 NFL Draft.

Chase burst on to the scene during his rookie campaign, hauling in 81 receptions for 1,455 yards and 13 touchdowns, earning himself a trip to the Pro Bowl. Most importantly, he helped propel the Bengals to a Super Bowl appearance.

Then, last year, Ja’Marr Chase caught 87 passes for 1,046 yards and nine scores, making the Pro Bowl for the second consecutive season.