Ja’Marr Chase may not be going to the playoffs, but he joined an elite group of wide receivers on Sunday night.
The Cincinnati Bengals star became just the sixth wide receiver in the Super Bowl era to win the triple crown. Chase finished the year with 1,708 receiving yards and 17 touchdowns on 17 receptions, all of which were career highs. He also averaged 100.5 yards per game and was targeted 175 times.
“This says I’m off to a tremendous start,” Chase said on NFL Network Saturday when asked about the award. “There’s more to do, but so far I’m doing well.”
Chase is the first receiver to accomplish that feat since Los Angeles Rams star Cooper Kupp did so in 2021. Steve Smith (2005), Sterling Sharpe (1992), Jerry Rice (1990) and Lance Alworth (1966) are the others. At 24 years old, Chase is also the youngest player in league history to win the Triple Crown.
Chase is the first Bengals player to lead the league in all three categories, something he largely knew would come at the end of Saturday’s regular season. He led Detroit Lions wide receiver Amon-Ra St. Brown by eight receptions and maintained a four-catch touchdown lead over St. Brown and Washington Commanders star Terry McLaurin. Minnesota Vikings wide receiver Justin Jefferson came closest in receiving yards, but was 133 behind entering Week 18.
Chase nearly broke Carl Pickens’ franchise record for most receiving touchdowns in a single season. He needed two in Saturday’s 19-17 win over the Steelers, but came home with just one. He leads the franchise in the other two categories. The Bengals finished the season with a 9-8 record and missed the playoffs for the second year in a row.
This all came after Chase’s contract dispute with the team last fall. He rejoined the team in time for Week 1 despite not getting a new long-term contract, and is set to make $21.8 million next year, which is the option year of his initial rookie contract. Based on his performance on the field this season and how close he reportedly came to reaching this mark, Chase will surely be in line to become the highest-paid wide receiver in the league when that happens. He has earned it.