The Cincinnati Bengals had an unbelievable run to the Super Bowl in 2021, making their first appearance since the 1988 season. Although they didn't bring home the Lombardi trophy, a few of their Pro Bowl players inspired a couple of the offensive stars on the Philadelphia Eagles in 2022.

Eagles' wide receiver DeVonta Smith spoke earlier this week about Bengals' quarterback Joe Burrow and wide Ja'Marr Chase and their connection last season, their first as a duo, and how it motivated him and quarterback Jalen Hurts after coming up short in last year's playoffs.

"Obviously, not being where we wanted to be," said Smith. "Kind of disappointed in ourselves and seeing Joe Burrow and Ja'Marr Chase do the things they did in their first year together. It was just like, we see what they did, we can do it, and here we are.”

Smith had every reason to use Burrow and Chase as an example. Burrow came back from a horrific knee injury and took the NFL by storm with 4,611 yards and 34 touchdowns last season. His chemistry with Chase, his college teammate at LSU win they won a national title in 2019, picked up right where it left off.

Chase was named Offensive Rookie of the Year last season after hauling in 81 receptions for 1,455 yards and 13 touchdowns. In the playoffs last year, Chase caught 25 of his 35 targets from Burrow for 368 yards and two touchdowns.

Despite Chase missing four games this season with a hip injury, he registered 87 receptions for 1,046 yards and nine scores, proving that he and Burrow are still an elite duo.

Hurts didn't wait long after last year's Super Bowl, texting Smith "That can be us" as they looked to build off their first-round exit in the postseason. Well, that certainly sparked something.

The former second-round pick had a spectacular 2022 campaign as he was a finalist for NFL MVP honors after throwing for 3,701 yards and 22 touchdowns and tallying 760 rushing yards and 12 more scores.

That's not bad for a guy that many didn't think could cut the mustard as a quarterback on the NFL level. A big chunk of his success can be attributed to Smith as he compiled 95 receptions for 1,196 and seven touchdowns. Now, Hurts did miss two games with a shoulder injury, but he still racked up most of his production with Hurts, so as they say, iron sharpens iron.

Hurts had no problem being very complimentary about the elevation of Smith this week after his second NFL season.

“He has the right kind of conviction and work ethic to go work for it," said Hurts. "We are here now for a reason because we put the work in. So, no surprise there.

Burrow and Chase have quickly turned into one of the best quarterback/wide receiver combinations in the entire NFL. So, it's only right that other duos want to be where they are. Hurts and Smith still have a ways to go to get there, but they're on the right path.

Feature image via Tommy Gilligan-USA TODAY Sports