‘Honestly, I didn’t see it coming’ – Bengals’ blockbuster move of the offseason had Ja’Marr Chase reacting like everyone else
Ja’Marr Chase wanted the Cincinnati Bengals to make a big splash this offseason. When it finally happened, he was as surprised as the rest of the city.
Cincinnati Bengals wide receiver Ja’Marr Chase used to be one of two three-time Pro Bowlers on the roster. Dexter Lawrence joined the group when he was traded to the team in April.
Chase loved the move, and was just as shocked as everyone else in Cincinnati that it happened.
“Honestly, it was very impactful for one, and two, it was very surprising. Honestly, I didn’t see it coming,” Chase said at his annual pro camp. “So, it was a great pick for us. I’m glad we got a chance to make a big impact on the defensive side. I think he’s going to come in and play a big role. Can’t wait to show the critics and show what we can do. That’s what it’s all about.”
Ja’Marr Chase was every Bengals fan reacting to the trade
There’s never quite been a move in Bengals history that felt like trading for Lawrence. The club traded up five spots to take running back Ki-Jana Carter first overall in the 1995 NFL Draft, but moving a top-1o pick for a proven high-level veteran is a different decision entirely.
It was completely uncharacteristic for Cincy to do that, and Chase knows it. The club has become more and more willing to trade draft picks for players over the years, but a late Day 3 pick is galaxies different than the No. 10 pick in the first round.
Once the surprise faded away, the reality kicked in, and it’s exactly what Chase had in mind.
Chase wanted Bengals to make a big move
Chase has been everything the Bengals have wanted him to be and more at receiver, but they can’t go anywhere with him unless the other side of the ball holds its weight. That’s why Chase made it know early in the offseason he wanted the chips to be put into the middle of the table.
“Hopefully the organization’s going to it right now, hopefully,” Chase said at Radio Row during the week of the Super Bowl. “I’m pretty sure everyone knows what we need. I’m not going to say what we need, but I talked to Zac [Taylor] about that. I’m definitely pushing, you know what I’m saying, to get something good for the defensive side. We just need something, of course, you know, somebody.”
That somebody became Lawrence, and Chase’s Bengals have a difference-maker to, in his own words, “show the critics” what they can do.