Ja'Marr Chase, Tee Higgins issue Super Bowl challenge for Bengals after offseason moves

Many members of the NFL community are viewing the Cincinnati Bengals as big winners of the offseason after the Bengals made numerous moves to bolster a defense that let wide receiver Ja'Marr Chase and other offensive stars down far too often last season. 

While speaking with reporters on Tuesday, Chase issued a challenge for his teammates regarding what they should hope to achieve during the upcoming campaign. 

Ja'Marr Chase: Expectations for Bengals have gone up after offseason transactions

"At the end of the day, we got to the Super Bowl in '21 and never went back," Chase said, per Ben Baby of ESPN. "So, expectations have always been high since 2021. But now that we have improved our defense a little more, the expectations have gone up for the defense to show us what they could do."

Quarterback Joe Burrow has made similar comments throughout the spring, perhaps in an attempt to light a fire under Cincinnati players. Since the Bengals finished the 2025 season with a record of 6-11, they have added defensive tackle Dexter Lawrence II, defensive tackle Jonathan Allen, safety Bryan Cook, safety Kyle Dugger, pass-rusher Boye Mafe, rookie edge-rusher Cashius Howell and rookie cornerback Tacario Davis to their roster. 

Ja'Marr Chase began recruiting players to sign with the Bengals earlier this year

Chase revealed that he spent time at the Pro Bowl Games this past winter recruiting prospective free agents to sign with the Bengals. 

"I didn't care," Chase explained. "Let's go. If you want to sign, let's sign here, and let's do it. ...The moves they made are showing us they want to be with us, too. They want to push us and help us be at the next level where we know we could be at, that we know we needed."

Head coach Zac Taylor is likely on the hot seat after the Bengals missed the playoffs for a third straight season. Additionally, some think Burrow could look to be traded if he doesn't at least play in the next postseason. 

On Tuesday, Bengals wide receiver Tee Higgins made it known he doesn't just want to participate in one January 2027 playoff game. 

"We've got to win championships," Higgins directly said. "That's the main goal."