The Cincinnati Bengals have struggled to find their rhythm early in seasons, and star receiver Ja'Marr Chase believes he may have pinpointed a solution. Amidst discussions of the team's sluggish starts, Chase suggested a shake-up in strategy during a Tuesday press conference.
"Sounds like we need to play preseason, huh?" Chase quipped to reporters. "You know, you all found your own answer. I just asked the questions, and you found it."
Despite suggesting preseason participation, Chase later admitted he'd rather avoid early games if given a choice. Last season, his preseason was marred by a contract negotiation that kept him off the practice field for much of training camp, impacting his readiness for the opener against the Patriots.
"Mentally, I wasn’t all there," Chase reflected. "I was in my own head. Wanted to play, but not being on the field as much didn't help." The contract issues compounded the situation, making it harder for him to prepare fully.
Head coach Zac Taylor has considered the idea of playing starters in preseason to address these early-season challenges. "I feel good about the possibility of playing our guys in preseason," Taylor mentioned, as cited by ESPN’s Ben Baby. This tactic aims to help players acclimate physically and mentally before regular games commence.
Additionally, resolving player contract disputes before the season starts could be key. Last year saw issues with Chase and Tee Higgins, and this season, defensive end Trey Hendrickson might face similar concerns.
The Bengals' schedule seems promising, starting with the Cleveland Browns and Jacksonville Jaguars—games they could potentially dominate. How they approach these early tests, and their preseason strategy, may set the tone for the journey ahead.
