Ja’Marr Chase dismisses Bengals’ "obvious" issues with blunt “that’s not my role” remark

The Cincinnati Bengals are 6-10 for the season heading into the final game of the season against the Cleveland Browns on Sunday.

The Bengals are missing the playoffs for the third consecutive season and quarterback Joe Burrow shared his frustration over the team's ongoing postseason drought.

Bengals wide receiver Ja’Marr Chase echoed his teammates' sentiments, outlining the "obvious" issues with the franchise.

"I think some of the things are pretty obvious, what we need to change," Chase said. "At the end of the day, I can’t really say or put an emphasis on what needs to be changed because that’s not my role. But it’s pretty obvious on what some of (the) issues (are) that need to be changed."

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Chase's comments came in the wake of Burrow's statement earlier this week, where the Bengals quarterback said "something needs to change."

“We don’t want to be in the spot we are in now, so something’s got to change,” Burrow said. “Whether it’s players we have continuing to improve and get better and play championship-caliber football or bringing in guys that will or whatever it may be. Obviously, something has to [change].”

Bengals coach Zac Taylor expected to return for 2026 season despite third consecutive year without playoffs

The Bengals won the AFC North in 2021 and 2022 under coach Zac Taylor, but have failed to make the postseason since. The Bengals coach's role has been under scrutiny over the last few weeks.

However, NFL Network's Tom Pelissero and Ian Rapoport reported that Taylor is expected to return for the 2026 season.

“Despite a third straight non-playoff season and quarterback Joe Burrow’s recent musings about the future, there are no signs the Bengals are preparing to make major changes,” Rapoport and Pelissero said. “Coach Zac Taylor has two years left on his contract, and all indications are that Taylor should return.”

The Bengals will look to clinch a third consecutive win against the Browns on Sunday and finish the season on a high.

Edited by Chaitanya Prakash