We’re three days away from the Cincinnati Bengals’ preseason finale against the Philadelphia Eagles. Every player on the Bengals’ 90-man roster will have a profile page by the end of the week. Check out previous player profiles here.

The next player of the series has a case for being the best in the NFL at his position.

Ja’Marr Chase Player Profile

Age: 26
Year: 6th
Position: Wide receiver
College: LSU
Jersey Number: 1

Ja’Marr “Uno” Chase was selected No. 5 overall in the first round of the 2021 NFL Draft. Prior to the NFL, Chase played two years at LSU (2018-19) and opted out the 2020 season due to COVID-19. In 2019, he helped lead the Tigers to an undefeated, 15-0 record and College Football Playoff National Championship with Joe Burrow at quarterback. His 84 receptions for 1,780 yards and 20 receiving touchdowns won him the Biletnikoff Award as college football’s best receiver. He also set the CFP title game record with 221 yards.

Five years have passed since Chase made it known he was going to break all of the Bengals’ records just moments after he was drafted. He may very well be a prophet. He already ranks fourth in franchise history in receptions (520), receiving TDs (54), and fifth in receiving yards (6,837). His first year in stripes in 2021 was legendary as he won NFL Offensive Rookie of the Year after breaking Cincinnati’s single-season receiving yards record with 1,455. He became the sixth player in the Super Bowl era to win the receiver “Triple Crown” by the league in receptions, yards, and TDs in a season in 2024.

Chase continued his sheer dominance in 2025, posting 125 receptions (third in NFL), 1,412 yards (fourth) and eight TDs in 16 games. He was suspended for one week after spitting on Pittsburgh Steelers defensive back Jalen Ramsey. He crossed the 100-yard threshold seven times last year, which is also a Bengals record.

Contract details

Chase signed a four-year, $161 million contract extension last offseason. This is the first year he’s playing on the new deal, though he received plenty of new money last season. His base salary is $17,730,000 this season, and he can earn up to $1,000,000 in per game roster bonuses throughout the year. He’s already earned a $15,000,000 option bonus, and a $100,000 workout bonus. He’s scheduled to make $33,830,000 in cash this year. His salary cap hit for the season comes out to $26,171,176 due to his $22,000,000 roster bonus from last year being prorated over the life of the contract, as well as his $15 million option bonus from this year.

Roster outlook

Chase has the best argument for being Cincinnati’s best overall player. Burrow may be more valuable as the QB, but in terms of pure talent stacked up against his peers, Chase is the top guy.

He was recently ranked the No. 16 player in the Top 100 Players of 2026. He’s made five Pro Bowls and has been a First Team All-Pro in back-to-back years entering this season. Elite is the only description for his game.

It’s insane to think Chase has several more years of high-level play in him, but at 26, he’s still very much in his prime. He was the one of the keys to the Bengals’ Super Bowl run when he was just a rookie. Getting back there will require leaning on him again.

Roster odds: 100%