Bengals records Ja'Marr Chase can break in 2023
If every fifth-overall pick turned out to be like Ja'Marr Chase, then the NFL Draft would be a lot more predictable. But there's only one Chase, and the man aptly called "Uno" plays for the Cincinnati Bengals. The start of Chase's career has been unparalleled in franchise history. He's currently the Bengals record holder for […]
If every fifth-overall pick turned out to be like Ja'Marr Chase, then the NFL Draft would be a lot more predictable. But there's only one Chase, and the man aptly called "Uno" plays for the Cincinnati Bengals.
The start of Chase's career has been unparalleled in franchise history. He's currently the Bengals record holder for most receptions (168), receiving yards (2,501), touchdowns (22), and practically every other wide receiver statistic in their first two years.
So it's not surprising he's on pace to continue leaving his mark in the record books this year.
When he was drafted, Chase set out to break all the receiving records in franchise history. He reaffirmed that last month, even highlighting T.J. Houshmanzadeh's single season record of 112 receptions in a single season.
Every Bengals receiver of the last 10 years has had the task of filling A.J. Green's enormous shadow, and Chase has done than and some. All the marks Chase has set has surpassed Green's remarkable two-year start from 2011-12, but Green's best season as a Bengal arguably was his third in 2013. The eventual seven-time Pro Bowler set career highs in receptions (98), yards (1,426) and touchdowns (11) that season.
It'll take a similar third season for Chase to match Green's incredible three-year start in Cincinnati. Let's break down what numbers he'll have to post to get it done. 2023 totals to hit are to break the current record, not just to tie it.
Receptions in first three years
Current record: 260
Green's record is currently 45 catches higher than the next player, which happens to be a teammate of Chase. Tee Higgins recorded 215 receptions during his first three seasons, and that includes a rookie season in which he wasn't a full-time starter.
Chase stands with 168 career receptions. He actually achieved his career high last year with 87 despite playing four fewer games than his rookie season.
2023 total to hit: 93
Receiving yards in first three years
Current record: 3,833
Like his receptions mark, this has been safe for a minute. Higgins is the closest with 3,028 yards, as he surpassed Chad Johnson (2,850) late last year.
Chase's career yardage of 2,501 is even more impressive when you factor in him missing four games last year with a hip injury. That will make this record even tougher to beat, but certainly not impossible. He was on track for just under 1,400 yards last year had he not gotten injured.
2023 total to hit: 1,333
Receiving touchdowns in first three years
Current record: 29
Sorry A.J., this one's getting demolished. Green put up 11 touchdowns in back-to-back years after a promising rookie season that featured seven, but Chase wasted absolutely no time becoming one of the league's premier touchdown machines.
Chase already has 25 through just two years, and if we were to include postseason stats, well, this would already be over.
2023 total to hit: 5
Featured image via Cara Owsley/The Enquirer / USA TODAY NETWORK
