The Cincinnati Bengals once again must pivot on the fly with superstar quarterback Joe Burrow going down with a toe injury that will cost him at least three months. The team’s first challenge will be taking on the Minnesota Vikings in Week 3, with two of the best wide receivers in the NFL, Ja’Marr Chase and Justin Jefferson, going head-to-head to try to secure a win for their respective squads.
Not only are these two superstars in the conversation for being the best wide receiver in the NFL, but they also have a history together, as they both caught passes from Joe Burrow in college at LSU. They were an incredible dynamic duo while playing for the Tigers, and now their mission is to win a Super Bowl on the professional level.
Ja’Marr Chase & Justin Jefferson’s Relationship Seems Different
Ahead of the Week 3 showdown between the Vikings and Bengals, Chase was asked about what his relationship with his former LSU teammate is like today during a team press conference, as they play for different teams. Chase’s answers suggest that his relationship with Jefferson is virtually non-existent.
“No, not really,” Chase on if he talks to Jefferson during the season. “We’re older. We don’t really have much to talk about now.”
Even though it appears the friendship between these two superstar wide receivers isn’t what it was, Chase clearly has nothing but respect for the face of the Vikings franchise. The Bengals wideout explained what makes Jefferson so special on the gridiron.
“Just his routes in general,” Chase said. “The way he gets open and his body movements. Of course, we all see that when he runs routes. That’s why he’s one of the best.”
Sunday’s game at U.S. Bank Stadium in Minnesota may come down to which one of these superstar wideouts can adjust to a drastic change at the quarterback position. Jefferson will have to figure out how to be on the same page with Carson Wentz in the wake of the J.J. McCarthy injury, while Chase must figure out how to be successful with Jake Browning under center with Burrow on the mend.
Ja’Marr Chase Opens Up About Jake Browning
BALTIMORE, MARYLAND – NOVEMBER 16: Ja’Marr Chase #1 and Jake Browning #6 of the Cincinnati Bengals warm up prior to the game against the Baltimore Ravens at M&T Bank Stadium on November 16, 2023 in Baltimore, Maryland. (Photo by Rob Carr/Getty Images)
With Chase being no stranger to catching passes from other quarterbacks due to Burrow’s injury history, the veteran doesn’t seem to be concerned about getting on the same page with Browning heading into Week 3.
“It’s pretty similar to Joe,” Chase said. “We’re really just getting used to the timing with him, getting used to the speed with him, because we really haven’t had that many reps in camp with him. We’re just catching up on speed.”
Although Chase admits he and his pass-catching teammates have to get used to the timing and speed with Browning under center, he doesn’t believe the team has confidence in the new starting quarterback for the Bengals.
“I think pretty much everyone in the locker room is pretty confident in Jake,” Chase said. “Jake has shown what he can do. He’s been here for the past couple of years. He’s been doing his job when he’s been called on. He’s won tough games for us in bad positions, so he’s found his way to dig himself out of the hole.”
It remains to be seen whether Browning can shoulder the load in Burrow’s absence, but it’s a place he’s been in before.
In 13 games over the course of the past three seasons, Browning has thrown for 2,177 yards, 14 touchdowns and 10 interceptions while taking over for Burrow.
Bengals WR Ja’Marr Chase Opens Up About His Relationship With Justin Jefferson