Katie Stratman-USA TODAY Sports

Ja'Marr Chase Making Surprising Change Before 2025 Season: Report

Originally posted on Athlon Sports | By Cole Sullivan | Last updated Sep 4, 2025 12:07 PM ET

The Cincinnati Bengals will open their season Sunday afternoon in Cleveland against the Browns, marking the start of star wide receiver Ja’Marr Chase’s fifth NFL campaign.

Chase is coming off a career-best year in 2024, when he led the league in receptions (127), receiving yards (1,708), and touchdowns (17) — completing the rare “Triple Crown” and cementing his place among the game’s elite receivers.

That dominance earned him a historic payday this offseason, as the Bengals signed him to a four-year, $161 million extension with $112 million guaranteed — the richest deal ever for a non-quarterback.

But with the season just days away, Chase made an unexpected off-field move. According to NFL reporter Jordan Schultz, the All-Pro wideout is leaving his endorsement deal with Nike to join the rapidly growing athletic brand Fabletics, which counts actor and comedian Kevin Hart among its investors.

Sources: #Bengals superstar WR Ja'Marr Chase is making a bold move — leaving Nike to sign with Fabletics, the apparel brand Kevin Hart invested in.

One of the NFL's biggest stars teaming up with one of entertainment's biggest names, Chase will be the first NFL star Fabletics has… pic.twitter.com/FHDuPoRXrc
— Jordan Schultz (@Schultz_Report) September 4, 2025

“In 2014, we had a vision to fuse fashion with activewear. Now, millions of members and 95+ stores later, here we are. Through our proprietary fabrics and an obsession with quality, we bring you the fit and feel of luxury activewear at an accessible price,” Fabletics writes on their website. “Fabletics is committed to accessibility, diversity, and inclusion — from our headquarters in California to every single brick-and-mortar retail store around the globe — we are an inclusive brand for everyone and every body.”

Ja’Marr Chase becomes the first NFL star to sign with the company, potentially sparking a growing trend in professional sports as he remains one of the most recognizable athletes in the world.

It remains unclear what this means for Chase’s game-day cleats, as he has consistently worn Nike footwear on Sundays, and Fabletics does not currently produce cleats for athletes.

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

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