This season has been a nightmare for the Cincinnati Bengals, and the rough stretch continued when the team lost 39-34 in Week 14 to the Buffalo Bills, dropping them to 4-9.
The season has been especially difficult for quarterback Joe Burrow, who recently questioned his future in the league and with the team, leaving fans concerned. Wide receiver Ja’Marr Chase, his friend since college, addressed Burrow’s situation.
The season has been especially rough for the quarterback Joe Burrow, who recently questioned his future in the league and with the team, leaving fans to worry. Wide receiver and friend since college, Ja’Marr Chase, commented on Burrow’s future.
Ja’Marr Chase Breaks Silence on Joe Burrow’s Future
Burrow has been one of the best quarterbacks in the NFL since being selected with the first overall pick in the 2020 draft. He also made significant strides in his development after the team drafted Chase with the fifth overall pick in the 2021 NFL draft. The two entered the league as longtime friends, having played together and won a national championship at LSU.
Chase has a deeper understanding of Burrow than anyone else in the league, which lends significance to his response to Burrow’s remarks. In a media session, Chase opened by saying, “The narrative y’all trying to paint on him, I don’t see it.”
Ja’Marr Chase taking a long line of Joe Burrow questions, asking about how much he thinks Burrow loves the game.
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>Chase repeats he sees the same guy every day, smiling, no negativity and that he loves football.
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>“The narrative y’all trying to paint on him, I don’t see it.”— Paul Dehner Jr. (@pauldehnerjr) December 11, 2025
Two different narratives have emerged regarding Burrow. The first is that he could request a trade in the offseason; the second is that he could retire in his prime, similar to Andrew Luck of the Indianapolis Colts. Chase rejected both ideas, adding:
“He’s the same person every day he comes to work. He loves the guys in the locker room, so he’s pretty positive to me.”
“He smiles every day. The narrative that y’all are trying to pin on him right now, I don’t see it.”
“He loves work. He loves the guys in the locker room, so he’s pretty positive to me.”
– Ja’Marr Chase on Joe Burrow pic.twitter.com/4idD116lAg
— SleeperBengals (@SleeperBengals) December 11, 2025
Not only are Burrow and Chase close friends, but their play styles complement each other, elevating both.
Last season, Chase ranked second in PFSN’s WRi with 127 receptions for 1,708 yards and 17 touchdowns. Meanwhile, Burrow ranked ninth in PFSN’s QBi with a 70.6% completion rate, 4,918 yards, 43 touchdowns, nine interceptions, 201 rushing yards, and two rushing touchdowns.
