Ja’Marr Chase may not be going to the playoffs, but he joined an elite group of wide receivers on Sunday night.
The Cincinnati Bengals star became just the sixth wide receiver in the Super Bowl era to win the triple crown. Chase finished the year with 1,708 receiving yards and 17 touchdowns on 17 receptions, all of which were career-highs. He averaged 100.5 yards per game, too, and he was targeted 175 times.
“It says I’m off to a tremendous start,” Chase said on the NFL Network on Saturday when asked about the award. “There’s more to be done, but I’m doing good so far.”
Chase is the first receiver to pull that feat off since Los Angeles Rams star Cooper Kupp did so in 2021. Steve Smith (2005), Sterling Sharpe (1992), Jerry Rice (1990) and Lance Alworth (1966) are the others. At 24, Chase is also the youngest player in league history to win the triple crown.
Chase is the first Bengals player to lead the league in all three categories, which is something he largely knew was his going into Saturday’s regular-season finale. He led Detroit Lions wide receiver Amon-Ra St. Brown by eight catches, and held a four-receiving touchdown lead over St. Brown and Washington Commanders star Terry McLaurin. Minnesota Vikings wide receiver Justin Jefferson was closest in receiving yards, but he was 133 back before Week 18.
Chase came just shy of breaking Carl Pickens’ franchise record for most receiving touchdowns in a single season. He needed two in Saturday’s 19-17 win over the Steelers, but came home with just one. He leads the franchise in the other two categories. The Bengals finished the season with a 9-8 record and missed the playoffs for a second straight year.
All of this came after Chase’s contract dispute with the team this past fall. He rejoined the team in time for Week 1 despite not getting a new long-term deal, and he’s set to make $21.8 million next year, which is the option year of his initial rookie contract. Based on his performance on the field this season, and how close he reportedly came to this mark already, Chase is sure to be in line to become the highest-paid wide receiver in the league when that happens. He’s earned it.
