The Cincinnati Bengals' team rankings from this past season show that the defense is the weakness. Star wideout Ja'Marr Chase alluded to the obvious on Friday, via Sports Illustrated's Russell Heltman.

"I mean, everybody pretty much knows what we need." he said. "I've said it out in the media. All I gotta do is sit back and watch. I can't control that, so all I gotta do is control my production. I mean, at the end of the day, I'm just stating my opinion on what I think we need. So, you know, I sit back, let the organization do what they do, and I just gotta let my play do the rest."

The Bengals finished 30th in the NFL with 28.9 points allowed per game this past season, and they finished 12th with 24.4 points scored per game despite missing franchise quarterback Joe Burrow for nine contests. Chase also finished third in the NFL with 125 catches, fourth with 1,412 receiving yards, and tied for 11th with eight touchdowns. 

This is a familiar tale in Cincinnati. It missed the playoffs at 9-8 in 2024 despite Burrow leading the league in passing yards and touchdowns and Chase winning the Triple Crown. The team finished 25th with 25.5 points allowed per game and 20th with 22.6 the year before that, when it also missed the playoffs at 9-8. The team was 16th with 21.5 points per game offensively in 2023, when Burrow played just 10 games due to injury.

On the other hand, the defense was above-average in 2021 and 2022, when the Bengals made the Super Bowl and the AFC Championship, respectively. The squad is defined by its offensive firepower, but the defense determines how far it goes.

Chase has been through adversity in Cincinnati that has nothing to do with his skill or performance. Burrow has had two injury-shortened seasons out of the past three, and the defense has been subpar in each of the last three.

Those factors have kept Chase from reaching the promised land through no fault of his own. Burrow's ailments have been unlucky, but the front office must do a better job building the defense moving forward. 

While Chase is signed through 2029, the Bengals can't keep wasting his prime years. At some point, the three-time All-Pro may ask for a trade if the team doesn't progress.

Playing with Burrow, who is also signed through 2029 and is one of the best quarterbacks in the game, presents a compelling case for Chase to stay regardless. He can easily put up numbers with the prolific signal-caller, which will help him get another hefty contract after this one. But he could produce anywhere, so if winning is his priority, then Cincinnati may wear on him if it doesn't improve.