Bengals Star Ja’Marr Chase Breaks Silence on OTA Absence

One of the biggest storylines from the Bengals OTAs this past week was the absence of both Tee Higgins and Ja’Marr Chase. Higgins has already been present at OTAs this offseason but hasn’t gone through drills, while Chase has yet to appear at practice. 

This isn’t a huge issue, to be clear. The OTAs are, in large part, optional, and players are not fined for missing them, unlike in actual training camp close to the season. Players usually miss those practices due to contract holdouts, which Chase did in 2024. 

Chase held a youth football camp at Sycamore High School in suburban Cincinnati on Saturday afternoon, where he addressed his absence from OTAs and provided clarity on the matter. His answer largely revolved around load management. 

"Right now, I’m just trying to get in shape," Chase told reporters Saturday afternoon. "Obviously, I can’t wait to be back. I’m going to be back soon. It’s not time away, it’s just giving my body more rest at the end of the day. My coaches can vouch for me, my teammates can vouch for me, at the end of the day, I’m not doing anything wrong.”

Chase went on to say that he has been in constant contact with his coaches and with the team as a whole. Also, saying that when he’s on vacation, he takes his trainer with him and works out during his time off. 

The Los Angeles Rams recently said they plan to approach Matthew Stafford’s upcoming training camp similarly to last season, when he missed most of it with a back injury and entered the season with minimal preseason snaps but much more refreshed.

They saw his absence as beneficial load management, helping lead to an MVP season. Chase is obviously not at the same stage of his career as Stafford is, but he doesn’t have much of a reason to put the pedal to the medal during OTAs or even training camp. Going into the season as fresh as possible could lead to another triple crown campaign, as it did in 2024 before he signed his record-breaking extension.

Chase also commented on the addition of Dexter Lawrence, saying he was surprised when the Bengals made the move to add him to the roster. Also, the drafting of Georgia wide receiver Colbie Young, who has been called “Tee Higgins 2.0”.

Chase’s return to the team will be a welcome sight to many Cincinnati fans, and it sounds like it could be sooner rather than later.