Bengals' Ja'Marr Chase vents frustration with blunt message after loss

Operating with a hobbled Joe Burrow at quarterback, the Bengals offense has been horrid through four weeks, averaging an NFL-worst 236 yards of total offense per game — 124.5 YPG fewer than the unit's 360.5 YPG average from last season (eighth-most in the NFL). 

Despite the drastic dip in offensive output, Chase's opportunity rate remains among the NFL's elite. His 41 targets this season ranked sixth-most in the NFL, putting him on track to see a career-high 174 passes come his way in 2023.

The added targets haven't converted to points for Chase. Entering the season with 22 career receiving touchdowns over his first two pro campaigns, Chase has yet to find the end zone this year. Cincinnati's offense, as a whole, has scored just two passing touchdowns this season — tied for last in the NFL. 

After the loss, Chase addressed his team's lagging aerial attack, firmly standing behind his quarterback. 

 "He's just going through a little adversity," Chase said of Burrow. "He gon' be back good in no time (and) keep fighting." 

Inked to a historic $275m contract prior to the season, Burrow has gone from shoo-in MVP candidate to producing among the least effective passers in league history over the first month of play. 

According to ESPN Stats & Info, Burrow is the first quarterback ever to attempt at least 150 passes in his team's first four games of a season and average fewer than five yards per attempt. 

It's evident Burrow's lingering calf injury is affecting his play. With a Week 5 bout on deck against the 1-3 Arizona Cardinals, Cincinnati should consider resting their quarterback before a three-game stretch against Seattle Seahawks, San Francisco 49ers and Buffalo Bills.