Mandatory Credit: Ron Chenoy-Imagn Images

Ja'Marr Chase Makes Stunning Admission on Bengals Desire to Beat Broncos on 'Monday Night Football'

Originally posted on Athlon Sports | By Dave Ettinger | Last updated Sep 30, 2025 2:46 AM ET

Through his first four seasons in the NFL, Ja'Marr Chase had proven to be one of the most talented wide receivers the game had ever seen. So much so that the Cincinnati Bengals, after some trepidation, paid him accordingly.

Chase and the Bengals agreed to a healthy four-year, $161 million contract extension ahead of this season. At the time, the deal made him the highest-paid non-quarterback in NFL history. When Chase inked his name on the dotted-line of his new deal, it's hard to imagine season No. 5 in the NFL would get off to such a rocky start.

With Bengals quarterback, Joe Burrow, suffering a serious turf-toe injury during Week 2 against the Jacksonville Jaguars, Chase has been forced to catch passes from backup turned starting QB, Jake Browning. Although catching passes is a term that could be used loosely in this scenario.

Outside of the performance put on in relief of Burrow against the Jaguars, Browning has looked extremely pedestrian under center for the Bengals. In their last two games (both losses), the Bengals have scored a total of 13 points (being outscored 76-13). Chase has caught just eight passes for a total of 73 receiving yards over this span.

Ja'Marr Chase Reveals Reason for Bengals Recent Struggles

Chase's 23 receiving yards on 'Monday Night Football' against the Denver Broncos is the fourth lowest receiving total of his career. Following the game, Chase was asked by multiple reporters about their urgency to get a victory on Monday night. In his response, he made a stunning admission about his team's desire to beat the Broncos in Week 4.

"You've got to want it. Today, it didn't look like we wanted it," Chase admitted after the game.

Asked Ja’Marr Chase if the Bengals have a true sense of urgency after back-to-back blowout losses “Urgency is there but you’ve got to want it. Today, it didn’t look like we wanted it.” pic.twitter.com/cRqNrClEvg
— Mike Petraglia (@Trags) September 30, 2025

Chase was peppered with multiple questions about the Bengals offensive struggles, offering the All-Pro WR a number of opportunities to throw his QB under the bus. Chase kept it professional, deflecting the majority of the blame away from Browning, however, he did call out the offense as a whole numerous times.

"The offense has to want it more than the defense does," Chase said.

The Bengals didn't help themselves either in the penalty department. They were assessed 11 penalties for 65 total yards against the Broncos on Monday night. Chase also pointed at his team's lack of discipline in that regard, singling out the offense yet again.

"There were a lot of flags on the field. That comes with being disciplined. There were too many flags on the offensive side," Chase said.

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

More must-reads: