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Bengals’ Big Decision Involving Joe Burrow and Ja’Marr Chase Revealed Ahead of NFL Season

Originally posted on Athlon Sports | By Cole Sullivan | Last updated Sep 1, 2025 4:43 PM ET

The Cincinnati Bengals have missed the playoffs in each of the past two seasons after making back-to-back AFC Championship Games in 2021 and 2022.

In 2021, Joe Burrow and the Bengals stunned the Kansas City Chiefs, becoming the first team since Tom Brady’s Patriots to beat Patrick Mahomes at Arrowhead Stadium in a postseason game.

Despite a career year from Burrow last season—leading the NFL in both passing yards (4,918) and touchdowns (43)N—the defense faltered, contributing to several narrow losses.

Now, entering Burrow’s sixth NFL season, the Bengals announced Monday that he and star wide receiver Ja’Marr Chase have been named team captains for 2025. Burrow has held the honor since his rookie year.

They’ll be joined by offensive linemen Ted Karras and Orlando Brown Jr., along with defensive standouts Trey Hendrickson, B.J. Hill, and Logan Wilson.

"Our 2025 Captains," Bengals posted.

Our 2025 Captains pic.twitter.com/4EpMzjOBWT
— Cincinnati Bengals (@Bengals) September 1, 2025

Joe Burrow and Ja’Marr Chase have quickly become one of the NFL’s premier quarterback–wide receiver duos. Of Burrow’s 43 touchdown passes last season, 17 went to Chase, who capped off the year by joining elite company as just the fifth receiver since the 1970 merger to win the Triple Crown—leading the league in receptions, receiving yards, and receiving touchdowns.

The only other receivers to accomplish the feat are Jerry Rice (1990), Sterling Sharpe (1992), Steve Smith Sr. (2005), and Cooper Kupp (2021)—the same season the Los Angeles Rams beat the Bengals in the Super Bowl, which marked Chase’s rookie year.

Now, expectations are once again sky-high for Burrow and Chase as they open the season on the road against the Cleveland Browns on Sunday.

This article first appeared on Athlon Sports and was syndicated with permission.

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