'I'm playing pretty lit right now' — Ja'Marr Chase knows he's on track to achieving his offseason goals
No one has put up better receiving numbers through seven games than Cincinnati Bengals wide receiver Ja'Marr Chase. Cincinnati's top offensive weapon leads the NFL in receiving yards (620) and receiving touchdowns (6).Although he did try to think of one, there isn't a New Orleans-specific word to describe Chase's season thus far. He settled for […]
No one has put up better receiving numbers through seven games than Cincinnati Bengals wide receiver Ja'Marr Chase. Cincinnati's top offensive weapon leads the NFL in receiving yards (620) and receiving touchdowns (6).
Although he did try to think of one, there isn't a New Orleans-specific word to describe Chase's season thus far. He settled for something simpler.
"I'm playing pretty lit right now, yeah," Chase answered with his infectious laugh during his weekly press conference.
So lit that accomplishing what he wanted to do from the start of this calendar year looks entirely doable.
Ja'Marr Chase is very much on track to achieving his 2024 goals
There are sticky notes on Chase's mirror at home. Written on them are what gets Chase motivated each and every day.
At the start of this past offseason, he swapped out "Pro Bowl" for something more.
"I put First Team All-Pro," Chase said.
First Team All-Pro is as exclusive as it gets. Only three receivers earn the title every year. Chad Johnson is the only receiver in franchise history to have been named one back in 2005 and 2006.
Leading all receivers in yards and touchdowns is just about the easiest way for Chase to join Johnson. He's on pace, and that note has everything to do with it.
"I just put that up there to just let myself know what I want to do every day," Chase said. "It keeps me focused every day. You know, some days you have those days and you feel sluggish, you know, might not want to be at work. And, you know, some days you just sit there and just read it, you know, saying, and it lets you know where you're mentally at, you know, saying, If you ready for the day or not. That's how I feel."
Chase could stay atop the WR leaderboard for yards but may not accomplish the one numerical goal he made public Thursday. The fourth-year wideout wants to exceed 1,500 yards for the first time in his career as well. He came up just short when he set (at the time) a modern rookie record with 1,455.
Chase doesn't keep track of his stats every week, but he knows damn sure what his team's record is. Leading the league in receiving is nice, but not as nice when the defeats outnumber the victories.
"It doesn't mean everything right now, you know, we still in a hole," Chase said. "You know, if we [had] a positive record, I'd probably be more satisfied with it. But, I mean, it's cool to see it, you know, that's my expectation. But you know, it's cool to see. I gotta keep going, though. I'll be more satisfied at the end of the year when I see the full stats."
Aside from the losing, this season is going as well as it could've for Chase after he and the Bengals failed to reach a contract extension. At this rate, the deal he eventually signs will be reflective of his standing.
"What's understood ain't gotta be explained, bro," Chase said. "Honestly, I feel like everyone knows the worth."