DK Metcalf has strong take on Seahawks rookie CB facing Bengals' Ja’Marr Chase

Although Seattle Seahawks receiver DK Metcalf respects fellow wideout Ja’Marr Chase, he’s confident the team’s top rookie defender will hold his own against the Cincinnati Bengals star this weekend.

Devon Witherspoon has been one of the best shutdown cornerbacks in the NFL since Week 2, which is why Metcalf believes Chase will have his hands full on Sunday.

“He’s just a great receiver," Metcalf told reporters on Thursday. “Tip my hat off to him with what he’s done the first three years in the league. It’ll be fun to watch Sunday, but I think [Witherspoon] will get the best of him.”

The 23-year-old Chase responded to Metcalf’s remarks shortly after, stating there’s no hard feelings about what he said.

“He ain’t doing nothing but just praising his teammate; that’s what he’s supposed to do,” Chase said, via Kelsey Conway of the Cincinnati Enquirer. “At the end of the day, it’s about game-time reps in game-time decisions. He’ll get the opportunity though to get his mask up and just see who wins that matchup.”

Chase is coming off a monster game in which he caught a career-high 15 passes for 192 and tied his career best with three touchdowns in a 34-20 win over the Arizona Cardinals last week. It’s the second time in his last three games he had 12 or more receptions and 140 or more yards.

Conversely, Witherspoon has put together some impressive performances of his own. He’s one of just eight cornerbacks to play 100 or more coverage snaps and allow a completion percentage of 50 or below, per Pro Football Focus.