Cincinnati Bengals wide receiver Ja'Marr Chase (1) flips after scoring a touchdown in the fourth quarter of the NFL game between the Cincinnati Bengals and the San Francisco 49ers at Levi Stadium in Santa Clara, Calif., on Sunday, Oct 29, 2023. Albert Cesare/The Enquier / USA TODAY NETWORK

CBS Sports Names Bengals Star Ja'Marr Chase as NFL's Top Young Player

Originally posted on Cincinnati Bengals on SI
By Russell Heltman | Last updated Jun 24, 2025 12:16 PM ET

CBS Sports released it's latest NFL Top 25 Players 25 or Under list this offseason and Ja'Marr Chase has ascended to the top spot. The 25-year-old was No. 3 last year and is at No. 1 following his triple-crown receiving season.

The Bengals wide receiver took the crown in his final year of eligibility.

"Chase's former LSU teammate Justin Jefferson topped this list a year ago," Cody Benjamin wrote. "It's only right the Bengals star claims the crown for himself. Freshly rewarded with a long-term deal in Cincinnati, No. 1 is the only wideout to rival Jefferson in sheer big-play spectacle, leading all receivers in catches (127), yards (1,708), and touchdowns (17) to close his fourth season. Joe Burrow slinging the rock certainly helps, but Chase is capable of taking any pass to the house at any time. He and Burrow make the Bengals -- if not contenders, then spectacular showmen."

Chase turns 26 on March 1 next year after accomplishing plenty in the first half of his 20s.

A triple crown season and the highest-paid non quarterback, but the top goal remains elusive: His first Super Bowl win.