Ja’Marr Chase Reveals Major Secret Behind Bengals’ Offseason Trade

Cincinnati Bengals WR Ja’Marr Chase returned to Paycor Stadium on Tuesday for his first day of OTAs after sitting out the voluntary portion of the offseason program. Chase explained that he used the time to recover physically after another demanding season while remaining in communication with the team.

With OTAs underway, the Bengals star receiver offered new insight into how one of Cincinnati’s biggest offseason additions may have started.

Apparently, the Bengals’ biggest defensive addition may not have begun in Duke Tobin’s office. According to Chase, it started at the Pro Bowl.

Speaking Tuesday, Chase acknowledged that he spent time during the Pro Bowl Games recruiting players to Cincinnati, although he did not identify every player he spoke with (h/t WLWT’s Charlie Clifford).

The Bengals improved their defense this offseason with several major additions, most notably Dexter Lawrence, who was also in attendance at the Pro Bowl event in January.

“The moves they made are showing us they want to be with us, too,” Chase said. “They want to push us and help us be at the next level where we know we could be at, that we know we needed.”

When Cincinnati acquired Lawrence in April, the three-time Pro Bowler immediately became one of the most accomplished players on the roster alongside Chase and Joe Burrow. Chase admitted the move caught him off guard.

“Honestly, it was very impactful for one, and two, it was very surprising. Honestly, I didn’t see it coming,” Chase said. “So, it was a great pick for us. I’m glad we got a chance to make a big impact on the defensive side. I think he’s going to come in and play a big role. Can’t wait to show the critics and show what we can do.”

Throughout last season, Chase made it clear he believed the Bengals needed more help defensively. At the Pro Bowl, he took that message directly to some of the league’s top players, using his platform as one of football’s top receivers to sell the vision of what Cincinnati could become.

“At the end of the day, we got to the Super Bowl in ’21 and never went back,” Chase said Tuesday. “Expectations have always been high since 2021.”

It’s been four seasons since that Super Bowl appearance and the Bengals now enter 2026 with arguably the most talented roster of the Joe Burrow era and immense pressure to deliver. After missing the playoffs for three straight seasons and finishing 2025 with a losing record, the Bengals cannot afford to deliver below expectations.