Bengals' Ja'Marr Chase Calls for Defensive Reinforcements

Star wide receiver says front office must maximize Joe Burrow's window

Published on Feb. 16, 2026

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Following a disappointing 6-11 season, Cincinnati Bengals wide receiver Ja'Marr Chase has been vocal about the team's need to bolster its defense in the upcoming offseason. Chase stated that "everybody pretty much knows what we need" and that he will "sit back and watch" the front office address the team's defensive deficiencies to support star quarterback Joe Burrow.

Why it matters

The Bengals' championship window with Burrow at quarterback is seen as wide open, but gradually closing. The team's ability to improve its defense and provide more support for the high-powered offense will be crucial to their chances of returning to Super Bowl contention.

The details

After the Bengals' defense struggled to support the team's offense last season, Chase has publicly called for the front office to be aggressive in adding veteran defensive talent. The team must also decide whether to invest heavily in pass-rusher Trey Hendrickson, who has been productive when healthy but is 31 years old.

  • The Bengals finished the 2025 season with a 6-11 record.

The players

Ja'Marr Chase

A star wide receiver for the Cincinnati Bengals.

Joe Burrow

The Bengals' franchise quarterback.

Trey Hendrickson

A productive pass-rusher for the Bengals who is 31 years old.

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What they’re saying

“Everybody has an opinion at the end of the day, and an opinion sometimes just is a right to be heard. But I can't judge people on what they feel. I know all I can do is control what I can control, and that's my play. And what my play does is only how far I can lead the team to success or not.”

— Ja'Marr Chase, Wide Receiver (Sports Illustrated)

“Yeah. I mean, everybody pretty much knows what we need. 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.”

— Ja'Marr Chase, Wide Receiver (Sports Illustrated)

What’s next

The Bengals' front office must decide whether to invest heavily in pass-rusher Trey Hendrickson or use that salary cap space to revamp the team's defense, which ranked near the bottom of the league last season.

The takeaway

Ja'Marr Chase's public calls for defensive reinforcements highlight the Bengals' need to maximize their championship window with star quarterback Joe Burrow. The team's ability to address its defensive deficiencies will be crucial to their chances of returning to Super Bowl contention.