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Ben Baby, ESPN Staff WriterNov 19, 2024, 05:28 PM ET
- Ben Baby covers the Cincinnati Bengals for ESPN. He joined the company in July 2019. Prior to ESPN, he worked for various newspapers in Texas, most recently at The Dallas Morning News where he covered college sports. He provides daily coverage of the Bengals for ESPN.com, while making appearances on SportsCenter, ESPN’s NFL shows and ESPN Radio programs. A native of Grapevine, Texas, he graduated from the University of North Texas with a bachelor’s degree in journalism. He is an adjunct journalism professor at Southern Methodist University and a member of the Asian American Journalists Association (AAJA).
CINCINNATI — Cincinnati Bengals coach Zac Taylor had no hard feelings toward wide receiver Ja’Marr Chase after comments made following the team’s loss to the Los Angeles Chargers on Sunday night.
Cincinnati had chances to complete the biggest road comeback in franchise history but ultimately lost, 34-27. It was the team’s sixth defeat by seven points or less this season. After the game, Chase was asked about the team’s inability to close games and he redirected towards Taylor, citing the coach’s dual status as the Bengals’ offensive playcaller.
In Taylor’s news conference on Tuesday, he didn’t take any exception to what Chase said in the locker room after the game and lauded the three-time Pro Bowler.
“I don’t ever hold it against a player when they’re after a game having an emotional response,” Taylor said. “We’ll just continue to move forward as a team, but love working with him. Thankful that he’s on our team.”
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Cincinnati (4-7) has been unable to close out games this season. In four of the team’s losses, the Bengals have either held a lead or been in a tied game in the fourth quarter. Against the Chargers, Cincinnati clawed back from a 21-point deficit but couldn’t find the go-ahead score.
Chase, when asked about not being able to finish contests this season, reflected back at Taylor.
“I play football on the field,” Chase said in the visiting locker room after the game. “I don’t call plays for us.”
Chase and quarterback Joe Burrow are in the midst of career years. Chase currently leads the league in catches (73), receiving yards (1,056) and receiving touchdowns (12). Burrow has the NFL’s best Total QBR (76.1).
Against the Chargers, Chase had seven catches for 75 yards and two touchdowns. In his news conference on Tuesday, Taylor alluded to Chase’s production throughout this season.
“I feel very confident we put Ja’Marr in the best position possible to succeed,” Taylor said. “He’s first in every category there is. We make a conscious effort to involve him and make sure he’s always a big part of that.”
This year, Cincinnati has moved Chase across the formation in order to free him from defensive matchups aimed at keeping his impact on a game to a minimum. That strategy has worked, even if it hasn’t produced wins.
Ja’Marr Chase is having a phenomenal year, but the frustration of losing can affect any player. Sam Greene/USA TODAY Network via Imagn Images
“(Burrow and Chase) are our two best players,” Bengals offensive coordinator Dan Pitcher said on Tuesday. “So we are always trying to create opportunities for them to impact the game in a positive way. We are going to keep doing that.”
It’s been an unique year specifically for Taylor and Chase. Chase was present at training camp but did not practice amid a contract dispute. Taylor, when asked on multiple occasions regarding his absence, indicated that it was part of a vague plan in an apparent attempt to shield Chase throughout the negotiation. Chase ended the hold-in before the season started.
It isn’t the first time that players have been critical of Taylor in the press. In 2019, Taylor’s first season with Cincinnati, former wide receiver Tyler Boyd made similar comments after losses in what eventually matched the worst season in franchise history. But Boyd eventually became a cornerstone of a transformed Bengals team under Taylor that won the AFC North in 2021 and 2022 and went to the Super Bowl.
Taylor cited his relationship with players that has pacified such situations. And in this case, Taylor said he loved everything Chase brings to the team and the energy he provides.
“We all want to win,” Taylor said. “You put a lot of pressure on yourself. And when you don’t (win), it can lead to frustration. But, feel very confident we’re on the same page and we’ll be good going forward.”
