CINCINNATI — Joe Burrow has seen enough to know Ja’Marr Chase will be good to go for Sunday’s 2024 opener against the New England Patriots.
Now, it’s just a matter of actually getting his No. 1 star receiver on the field for the game. In this offseason of the wide receiver mega-extension, Chase is the last one waiting in line. Will he get to sign on the dotted line before an imaginary deadline of 1 p.m. ET?
That remains to be seen. But what Burrow witnessed on the practice field Wednesday was enough for him to be a believer that Chase could be factor Sunday, if indeed he plays.
What makes Burrow think Chase, who was limited in his first full-scale practice Wednesday, will be ready to go?
“I saw him out there,” Burrow said. “He looks fast and strong like he always does,” Burrow said. “I know he’s been doing what he needs to do to stay ready if he needs to be ready. I’m confident that if he does go out there on Sunday then he’ll be the Ja’Marr we all know.”
Chase did return to a very low-grade practice on Aug. 25, three days after the preseason finale against the Colts, when a picture of him catching a ball in practice appeared on team’s social media pages. Wednesday was different. Wednesday was the beginning of the formal install for the Patriots this Sunday.
Burrow wouldn’t go as far as to say Wednesday was the most significant work of the preseason or offseason since the two have been together for countless offensive meetings in the offseason. But he admitted there’s one game plan if Chase plays and one if he doesn’t.
“Yeah I would say that’s true. We’ll see if that ends up happening but whatever happens, we’ll be prepared for it,” Burrow added. “Great to have him back. Great player, guy that we need to be our best.”
The reason all of this matters is what it will do to the Patriots if they have to spread their secondary resources across Chase and Tee Higgins and then contend with the mix of Andrei Iosivas, Charlie Jones, Mike Gesicki, Erick All Jr. and backs Chase Brown and Zack Moss. That’s a lot to plan for.
Make no mistake, if Chase is back on the field, the Bengals are getting one of the premier receivers in the NFL back in their arsenal.
“I think it’s just the all around skillset,” Burrow said. “He has great hands, way faster than you think he is and everyone thinks he’s really fast. He plays through contact, he’s physical, he’s strong. He’s the complete receiver.”
Burrow isn’t worried about the off-the-field relationship, which has always been close since their LSU days.
“Our relationship hasn’t changed,” Burrow said. “I’m not getting involved in his business, I’m going about mine and trying to get better every day and trying to get ready for Sunday. I know he’s doing what he needs to do to be ready to go if need be, I’m just doing what I got to do.”
Last year, Burrow was trying to get his calf right before the season opener in Cleveland and before signing on the dotted line three days before the opener. Chase doesn’t have an injury to worry about, just business.
“Well I was dealing with a lot of different things. The injury, the contract, trying to get ready to play. So, yeah it’s definitely a distraction when it’s not,” Burrow said.
Burrow – and head coach Zac Taylor – did all the talking Wednesday since Chase is remaining radio silent – presumably until an extension does or doesn’t get done.
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