Ja'Marr Chase in Position to Break All-Time Cincinnati Bengals WR Record in 2026

Ja’Marr Chase and the Cincinnati Bengals are on a mission to get back to the postseason in 2026 after missing the playoffs for three straight years. The offense has not been the problem, especially for the superstar wide receiver who became the third triple crown winner in the 21st century in 2024. Last season, he was just two receptions shy of his career best in a season, despite playing with three different starting quarterbacks. 

This season, Chase and the offense are ready to play meaningful football once again. After making the AFC Championship in back-to-back seasons, they are starting to lose credibility as one of the higher tiers of football teams, despite having superstars all throughout the lineup. 

Despite the 6-11 record for the Bengals in 2025, the former No. 5 pick in the 2021 NFL Draft proved that it doesn’t matter who is throwing him the ball; he always has a chance to make an impact. 2026 should be no different, and while the Bengals will be working to prove their worth yet again, Chase will be continuing to climb the franchise record lists. 

Specifically, the former LSU Tiger has a real chance to finish third all-time in both receptions and yards. He is just 11 receptions and 51 yards away from taking third place from Carl Pickens in both categories. Meanwhile, he is just 10 touchdowns away from stealing third from Pickens in touchdowns as well. However, the gap between Pickens and Chad Johnson for first place in touchdowns is just three, meaning Chase could become the all-time leader if he scores 13 touchdowns this season. 

While it may not be the most probable scenario, it definitely isn’t impossible either. Chase has recorded at least 13 receiving touchdowns in two of his five seasons so far in his young career. There is a reason that he has been in conversations for the best wide receiver in the NFL for several years, and this year should be the perfect opportunity to prove to fans and analysts around the country that he should be the leader.

Following their third straight empty postseason, the conversation for this offseason was all about rebuilding the defense to support the star-studded offense. General manager Duek Tobin did his job by getting a plethora of pivotal pieces on that side of the football, so now it’s up to head coach Zac Taylor to get the team back into the postseason. Once they can do that, the conversation will quickly switch to whether they can make a run to the Super Bowl this year or not.