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Ja'Marr Chase Shocked By Joe Burrow's Cryptic Comments

Originally posted on The Spun | By Tzvi Machlin | Last updated Dec 12, 2025 2:36 PM ET

NFL fans got a big surprise this week when Cincinnati Bengals star QB Joe Burrow seemed to indicate that he only wants to keep playing if he's having fun. That remark came across as odd to one of his teammates.

"If I want to keep doing this, I have to have fun doing it," Burrow said after Sunday's loss to the Buffalo Bills. "I've been through a lot and if it's not fun, then what am I doing it for? So that's the mindset I'm trying to bring to the table."

On Thursday, Bengals star wide receiver Ja'Marr Chase admitted that the clip didn't seem real when he first saw it.

"Did this really happen, though?" Chase genuinely asked.

Chase then made it clear that he hasn't seen anything from Burrow that indicates that the Pro Bowl QB isn't having a good time with the team.

"From what I see, he seems the same every day," Chase said. "Comes to work, ready to play. Comes to practice, the same guy.

"He helps me every day. No negativity in the building from him."

CINCINNATI, OHIO - NOVEMBER 05: Joe Burrow #9 of the Cincinnati Bengals reacts during the second quarter against the Buffalo Bills at Paycor Stadium on November 05, 2023 in Cincinnati, Ohio. (Photo by Jeff Dean/Getty Images)Jeff Dean/Getty Images

Burrow's Future in Cincinnati

The Bengals appear to be going nowhere fast as a franchise with Joe Burrow in his prime. They've given so much money to Burrow and the wide receivers that the defense has consistently been among the worst in the league since they can't afford star defenders on the open market.

The Bengals rank dead last in points allowed this year and have ranked in the bottom 10 since 2023. Despite going 9-8 in their prior two seasons, the defense kept them from making the playoffs.

Simply put, the team is somewhat stuck with a quarterback that is good enough to score enough points to beat anyone on a defense that is bad enough to lose to anyone.

At some point, the Bengals need to figure out a way to strike a balance that gets them back into playoff contention. Keeping Burrow healthy across 17 games would be a good start...

This article first appeared on The Spun and was syndicated with permission.

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