The Cincinnati Bengals have a handful of elite players, and the one with the best argument for being the best player at his position is wide receiver Ja'Marr Chase.
Chase's 2024 season resulted in career-highs in all three major receiving categories and the fifth triple crown in modern NFL history. He's only 25 years old, and his top-tier athleticism traits aren't going anywhere anytime soon.
This is Chase's time as the best wideout in the game, and those who work in NFL agree.
Chase came in at No. 1 in ESPN's top 10 wide receiver rankings as voted by dozens of anonymous executives, scouts, and coaches. He took the third spot last year, and third was his lowest ranking this year.
One executive couldn't help but express true honesty about Chase's game.
Honestly, it comes down to Chase is a (expletive) to cover. We are super aware of him and have played him a bunch and been torched by him a bunch. — NFL personnel executive
That exec's team could be the Baltimore Ravens, Kansas City Chiefs, Pittsburgh Steelers, or any other team that's regularly faced Chase's Bengals since 2021. Cincinnati may not always beat those teams, but No. 1 always comes to play.
Chase torched pretty much every team he faced last season. He posted five games with at least 100 receiving yards and eight above 90. He entered the year with six career multi-touchdown games and added five more to his count.
All of that earned him the first-ever contract for a non-quarterback exceeding $40 million per year. The highest-paid player at a position is not always considered the best, but for now, Chase passes the test.
Around 30 other teams wish they could've paid him that deal instead, including the one that employs the above quoted executive, but the Bengals will have him on the roster for the next five years instead. It wouldn't be a surprise for Chase to top this ranking again during those years.
