Ja'Marr Chase strives to be 'more creative' route runner in 2023

Cincinnati Bengals WR Ja'Marr Chase has had a prolific start to his NFL career. In fact, no Cincinnati wideout has tallied more receptions (168), touchdowns (22), and yards (2,501) in their first 29 games.

Chase believes his timing is up to snuff, but now wants to get down into the nitty gritty details of route running. 

"I'm trying to be creative on routes because you already have the timing," Chase said, per Bengals.com. "That's what I'm trying to do now. Be a lot more creative in my routes. Now that I know the timing and how long I need to take."

QB Joe Burrow said he and Chase are experimenting in minicamp right now, seeing what they can and can't do, what will work on Sundays and what won't. The main thing is Chase winds up being where he needs to be when Burrow delivers the football. Timing is everything in football.

"As long as we're on the same page, he's always where he's supposed to be at the time he's supposed to be there," Burrow said. "I always tell him, as long as that's happening, I don't really care what you're doing other than that."

Burrow allows Chase to be himself, to have artistic freedom and creativity in his route running. The two were teammates at LSU, and their rapport has been elite every step of the way. 

Bengals wide receivers coach Troy Walters knows he has a special talent in Chase, but as a coach, he aims to continue to find areas where Chase can get better, route running included.

"He has what it takes to be one of the elite runners in the game and the fact he understands he can get better is a testament to how good he is and how good he wants to be," Walters shared. 

The Bengals have had great receivers in their history, such as Chad Johnson, A.J. Green, and Carl Pickens. However, it's Chase who ranks first all-time in yards in a season (1,455) and yards in a game (266). 

If Chase continues to add to his route running repertoire and sustains his prolific production, he'll not only be one of the best Bengals wideouts ever, he'll be one of the best receivers in NFL history.