Ja'Marr Chase's Football Intelligence Leaving Quite an Impression on Bengals Players and Coaches

The 21-year-old isn't having any trouble learning Cincinnati's offense.

CINCINNATI — When the Bengals selected Ja'Marr Chase with the fifth pick in the 2021 NFL Draft, they thought they were getting one of the fastest, most physical players in the class. 

The 21-year-old dominated college football's best teams alongside Joe Burrow and the rest of his LSU teammates in 2019. 

So far, the rookie has delivered on that expectation, while impressing in other areas. 

His knowledge of the game and ability to learn the playbook has caught the attention of the Bengals' coaching staff.

"I've been really impressed with how quickly he's picked it up," head coach Zac Taylor said. "How easily it makes sense to him. He's got a really high football IQ. Some rookies you're concerned with overloading them, just give them a little package and ease them into it. Ja'Marr hasn't been that way at all. He's all over Troy Walters, making sure he's always getting extra, and they've had a great relationship started."

For more on the Bengals, including the latest news from training camp, subscribe to our YouTube Channel

Taylor isn't the only one that's praised Chase's football intelligence. Burrow shared a similar thought at the start of training camp. 

"He's a really smart player. People don't give him enough credit for that," Burrow said. "I'm not going to have to tell him what to do every play. He's a really smart guy who's in the playbook who understands his role."

Chase regularly talks to Burrow about football and life. The star quarterback showed Chase how to watch film correctly during their time together at LSU. 

“I used to just sit there and watch myself, try to critique myself, but Joe actually gave me the ins and outs of watching film when I was younger," Chase said. "It plays a part now. It’s just having that want and you have to want to study your plays and I feel like that’s something that everyone needs to do.”

The rookie doesn't shy away from his mistakes. He has yet to link up with Burrow on a deep ball during training camp, but doesn't sound worried about the lack of downfield success. He went out of his way to mention two missed chances the duo had last week.

"I had two go balls. I dropped one of them and the other one was under thrown," Chase said. "I would probably say they [NFL cornerbacks] sit a lot more now. I feel like they sit a lot more and I feel like they know what’s coming just where I’m lining up so that’s on my part to make sure all my routes look a like.”

A trio of Chase, Tyler Boyd and Tee Higgins could give the Bengals one of the best wide receiver rooms in the NFL. There's plenty of chatter about the trio topping the 1,000-yard mark this season.

"We don’t need to talk about it. It’s already in the air, I would say. That’s our mindset," Chase said. "That’s where we want to be. Without even telling each other that’s what we want, we know what we want already."

Make sure you bookmark AllBengals for the latest training camp news, including exclusive interviews, highlights and so much more!

You May Also Like:

A.J. Green Off to an Impressive Start for the Arizona Cardinals

Watch: Video Breakdown from Bengals Training Camp

Watch Highlights from Day 4 of Bengals Training Camp

Veteran Offensive Linemen Have Early Training Camp Lead in Battle for Starting Job

Watch Highlights from Day 3 of Bengals Training Camp

Film Breakdown: Why Ja'Marr Chase Has a Chance to be Special

Jessie Bates "Super Eager" to Agree to Contract Extension With Bengals

Joe Burrow Wants to Play in Preseason Games

Zero Dark Thirty: Joe Burrow Exits Social Media For Duration of Training Camp

Day One: Three Observations From Bengals Training Camp Practice

Will Jackson Carman Start For the Bengals in Week 1?

The Bengals Should Be Interested in Disgruntled Cornerback Xavien Howard

Mike Brown Bullish on O-Line: They're Going to "Surprise People"

A Breakdown of the Bengals Toughest Games on the 2021 Schedule

Three Down Look: Bengals Defense Under Pressure to Create Pressure

Joe Burrow Fully Cleared, But Don't Expect to See Him in the Preseason

Watch: Ja'Marr Chase Makes Amazing One-Handed Catch

Ken Anderson Has Big-Time Praise for Joe Burrow

Sam Hubbard on Joe Burrow: "Nobody is Working Harder"

DJ Reader, Trey Hopkins and Joe Burrow Get Good News

Joe Burrow Expected to be Ready for First Training Camp Practice

Bengals Extend Cincinnati-native Sam Hubbard Before Training Camp

The Quest to Protect Burrow: Bengals Bringing in Super Bowl Champion Center

Film Breakdown: The Good, the Bad and the Ugly for Left Tackle Jonah Williams

Bengals Bolster O-Line With Former Cardinals Center

Bengals Ring of Honor Revealed: The Two Ken's Join the Inaugural Class

Here are the Important Preseason and Training Camp Dates You Need to Know

Bengals Pass Blocking Expected to be Much Improved This Season

Bengals vs Browns: Which Trio Would You Take?

Geno Atkins Fully Cleared, Expected to Start Visiting Teams

Ja'Marr Chase Plans to Do One of Ochocinco's Unused TD Celebrations

NFL Analyst Bullish on Tyler Boyd

The Good, the Bad and the Ugly From Vonn Bell's First Season in Stripes

Ja'Marr Chase Works Out With Former All-Pro Wide Receiver

Mike Brown Praises NFL Legend: 'The Greatest QB I Ever Saw Play'

Bengals Fans "Will Get Something They've Never Seen" This September

Former NFL Scout Believes Chase and Burrow Will Have Huge Season

Film Breakdown: DJ Reader Should Be an Impact Player for the Bengals

Bengals Guard Believes He's the Most Underrated Player in the NFL

Join the Faces of Who Dey Nation for Thursday Night Football

-----

Be sure to keep it locked on AllBengals all the time!

Subscribe to the AllBengals YouTube channel
Follow AllBengals on Twitter: @AllBengals

Like and follow AllBengals on Facebook