Ja'Marr Chase responds to Joe Burrow saying Bengals need changes to end playoff drought

Cincinnati Bengals quarterback Joe Burrow raised eyebrows when he recently said that "something's got to change" for a franchise that will miss the playoffs for the third time in three years under head coach Zac Taylor. 

While speaking with reporters on Thursday, Bengals star wide receiver Ja'Marr Chase expanded on Burrow's take. 

Ja'Marr Chase knows what Bengals need to change? 

"I think some of the things are pretty obvious, what we need to change," Chase said, per Kelsey Conway of the Cincinnati Enquirer. "At the end of the day, I can’t really say or put an emphasis on what needs to be changed because that’s not my role. But it’s pretty obvious on what some of (the) issues (are) that need to be changed."

Numerous reports have said that Taylor and Bengals director of player personnel/de facto general manager Duke Tobin will stay in their roles through the offseason. Earlier in the week, Burrow noted that he has "a great line of communication" with Taylor, Tobin and other members of the club's front office. 

Neither Burrow nor Chase directly said what the Bengals need to "change" over the next eight months or so. However, it's no secret that the team's defense routinely failed its offense throughout the campaign. Specifically, ESPN stats show that the Bengals will enter the first weekend of 2026 ranked last in the NFL with an average of 392.2 total yards allowed per game and 31st with an average of 29.5 points surrendered per contest. 

Is Ja'Marr Chase confident Bengals can fix things ahead of 2026 season?

Burrow caused some to wonder if he could look to leave the Bengals this coming spring when he mentioned that he needed "to have fun [playing] again." He has since given no indication he will request a trade before the new league year opens in March, and he has been supportive of Taylor. 

As for Chase, it seems as if he believes the Bengals are one solid offseason away from competing for more than just a playoff berth. 

"It’s 100 percent fixable, I believe so," Chase said about the Bengals' situation. 

6-10 Cincinnati will finish the season with a home game versus the Cleveland Browns (4-12) this coming Sunday.