The Cincinnati Bengals surely turned a few heads when they drafted LSU wide receiver, Ja’Marr Chase, with their 5th overall pick. The franchise was widely expected to draft O-linesman Penei Sewell with the pick after the beating quarterback Joe Burrow endured in his rookie season.
Surprising us all with going with Burrow’s former LSU teammate, the team clearly made a statement of intent. If you can’t contain them, outscore them.
Chase thus enters the league with a chip on his shoulder. While the wideout is undoubtedly a star performer, not proving Burrow the protection he needs is being seen by many as a big blunder.
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But if the wide receiver can put up the numbers he did with Joe Burrow back in college, there won’t be much left to talk about.
Joe Burrow and Chase looking to let loose
Speaking to the Bengals’ official website, Chase talked about the chemistry he shares with Burrow. Winning a national championship together in 2019, the duo can’t be taken lightly.
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“We can look at each other and already know what we’re thinking,” Chase said via the Bengals website.
Burrow is still recovering from a gruesome knee injury that required him to have surgery. The quarterback tore his ACL and MCL in his left knee. There was also damage to his PCL and meniscus.
While Burrow is back on the field, he isn’t quite game-ready yet. Restricting himself to limited groundwork during the OTAs, he though, has been seen linking up with his LSU teammate.
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As for the two picking up from where they left off, Chase said that it’s something that’s happened during the offseason. “I just knew it. I just know sometimes. I had a feeling.”
Chase decided to sit out the 2020 season due to COVID-19. But when he played with Burrow in 2019, the two were near unstoppable. While Burrow went on to win the Heisman trophy, Chase caught 84 passes for 1,780 yards and 20 touchdowns.
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Bengals fans will hope that the two can churn out similar numbers in the NFL. As achieving it will almost surely guarantee them a spot in the Playoffs.