Key Takeaways:
– Ja’Marr Chase of the Cincinnati Bengals ranks no. 4 on the list of NFL’s Best Players Under 25.
– Penei Sewell, Sauce Gardner, and Trevor Lawrence bag the top three spots respectively.
– Regardless of previous injuries, Chase has proven to be one of the most consistent receivers in the league since his rookie year.
– Chase is likely slated for a potentially record-breaking contract extension shortly.
Cincinnati Bengals’ under-25 Starlight, Ja’Marr Chase
The Cincinnati Bengals, renowned for nurturing young talents, have one of their top players standing out in National Football League (NFL) rankings. Ja’Marr Chase, the Bengals’ wide receiver, has been ranked by PFF’s Zolton Buday as one of the NFL’s 25 Best Players Under 25 Years Old. The Bengals’ receiver seal the fourth spot, becoming the top young wide receiver on the list.
Chase, who turned 24 on March 1, was recognized by Buday for maintaining a performance grade between 83.9 and 85.4 across his three NFL seasons. In addition, Chase recorded a career-low four drops in 2023, securing 93.6% of his catchable targets, putting him in seventh place in the NFL.
Chase’s Journey from Rookie to NFL Star
The synergy between Chase and Joe Burrow, the quarterback of the Cincinnati Bengals, garnered worldwide football attention in 2019 as the duo spearheaded what’s arguable the best college football team of all time, leading the LSU to a 15-0 season and the College Football Playoff national championship. Chase also won the Biletnikoff Award as the nation’s top collegiate wide receiver that season.
Following his remarkable performance, Chase claimed the No. 5 spot in the 2021 NFL draft. As a rookie, he stunned the league with 81 receptions, totaling 1,455 receiving yards and 13 touchdowns in the regular season. Chase’s phenomenal showcase in his rookie year earned him accolades such as the NFL Offensive Rookie of the Year and first-team NFL All-Pro honors.
Despite injury setbacks in the 2022 and 2023 seasons, Chase has remained consistent with at least 1,000 receiving yards in every season. Injuries didn’t sideline him completely, and in 2023 he recorded a career-high 100 receptions despite his team’s quarterback, Burrow, missing the last 7 games due to injury. Over his first three seasons, Chase has three Pro Bowl selections, further cementing his status as one of the NFL’s top young receivers.
Chase’s Imminent Payday
Chase’s stellar performances have triggered speculation about a pay hike. The Bengals have planned for Chase’s fifth-year option in the 2025 contract, but it seems evident that a lucrative contract extension may be in the pipeline.
Chase could soon become the highest-paid wide receiver in the NFL, potentially surpassing Justin Jefferson from the Minnesota Vikings, or even the record-breaking contract recently signed by Philadelphia Eagles’ wide receiver A.J. Brown.
While wide receiver contracts have seen significant increases in recent years, like the Las Vegas Raiders’ Davante Adams who signed a five-year, $140 million contract extension in 2022, it’s expected that Chase’s new contract could redefine the earnings spectrum for wide receivers in the NFL, thanks to his impressive career so far.
Given the trajectory of Chase’s career and his impressive consistency on the field, it appears that this young player’s star is only set to rise further in the NFL. Chase’s ability to break records and establish high benchmarks places him as one of the most promising players to watch in the league.