Anonymous NFL coach credits Bengals for making wide receiver Ja’Marr Chase ‘the ultimate chess piece’ thanks to key evolution
The Cincinnati Bengals have developed Ja’Marr Chase into the best wide receiver in the NFL, according to ESPN’s annual survey of over 70 executives, coaches, and scouts. One veteran coach took it another step.
The Cincinnati Bengals have developed Ja’Marr Chase into the best wide receiver in the NFL. ESPN’s annual survey of over 70 executives, coaches, and scouts has Chase taking the No. 1 WR spot for the second year in a row.
Chase finished 2025 with 125 receptions for 1,412 receiving yards and eight touchdowns. It didn’t match his triple crown season in 2024, but those in the league know the 26-year-old is simply built different.
He’s the best I’ve gone against. He can break it for 80 [yards] at any time.
Anonymous head coach
Via ESPN's Jeremy Fowler
Cincinnati’s top receiver has been a game-breaking weapon since the moment he first stepped on an NFL field. What has changed in recent years, however, is a level of versatility that was instilled in him by the Bengals.
Anonymous coach highlights Ja’Marr Chase’s slot abilities
Chase is a natural X receiver, adept at breaking the press and defeating one-on-one coverage with an incredible combination of speed, strength, and suddenness.
The closer he gets to the middle of the field, the harder he is to contain.
Cincy has used Chase in the slot 33.1% of the time over the last two seasons. He was at 21.7% over the course of his first three years.
The results were great in 2024, and continued in 2025. Per Pro Football Focus, Chase was fourth in Yards After Catch (YAC) per reception, and fifth in Yards per Route Run (YRR) despite ranking 15th in Average Depth of Target (ADoT) among 16 receivers who had at least 50 slot targets last season.
This recent sample size had one anonymous veteran coach crowning Chase as “the ultimate chess piece.”
He showed over the past two years or so that he can play inside and outside. [The Bengals] moved him around more, and he’s gotten better as the ultimate chess piece.
veteran NFL coach
Via ESPN's Jeremy Fowler
Bengals’ innovation has helped elevate Chase
Moving Chase into the slot more often wasn’t just to help his production. It was to make the offense more unpredictable, breaking tendencies defenses were accustomed to during Chase’s early years of domination.
He has the ideal skillset for the role. The same reasons Chase has such respect around the league, such as his YAC ability and potential to make any play an explosive play, are why he can eat so efficiently in the slot.
It’s how most of the great wideouts in today’s game boost their production, and it’s done wonders for Chase. Credit to the Bengals for growing Chase’s role for their benefit and his.