Cincinnati Bengals wide receiver Ja'Marr Chase. Sam Greene/The Enquirer / USA TODAY NETWORK

Ja’Marr Chase says he’s gunning for every Bengals receiving record

By Michael Gallagher | Last updated 5/17/23

With two Pro Bowls in two seasons, Ja’Marr Chase’s NFL career is off to a pretty good start.

However, the 23-year-old Cincinnati Bengals receiver recently told the team’s official website that he has his sights set much higher than just collecting all-star honors. In fact, he’s gunning for records held by franchise greats like Chad Johnson and T.J. Houshmandzadeh.

"Cincinnati stuff,” Chase said. “Stuff to have my name written around this whole facility. Every receiver record they have."

Chase already holds two of the club’s receiving records. His 1,455 yards during his rookie year broke Johnson’s record for single-season receiving yards, and his 266-yard performance against the Kansas City Chiefs in Week 17 of the same year broke Johnson’s record for most receiving yards in a single game and the NFL record for most yards in a single game by a rookie.

"I'm only giving y'all one."

Ja'Marr Chase would only reveal one number he wants for the upcoming season.

(It's a #Bengals team record) pic.twitter.com/lwIDpDXSsy
— Joe Danneman (@FOX19Joe) May 16, 2023

His next target? Houshmandzadeh’s franchise record of 112 single-season receptions. Chase would need 25 more catches than his career high of 87 from last season. If he breaks that record, Chase will become just the third Bengals WR, along with Houshmandzadeh and Carl Pickens, to reach the 100-reception plateau.

"It's hard getting catches in a game, especially if you're doubled and there's another star receiver (like Tee Higgins) on your team," Chase said. "You almost have to catch every pass that comes your way. I plan (for us both) to have 100 catches before the season. I'm tracking both our numbers. Put 50 balls in a garbage can. Catch them, do it again and then we're done."

There are two other franchise milestones Chase could reach by the end of the 2023 season. He could break Pickens’ franchise record of 17 touchdowns in a single season and he could become the first Bengals receiver to top 1,500 single-season receiving yards.

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