Ja’Marr Chase thinks he might have to ‘raise’ Joe Burrow

The Cincinnati Bengals‘ the season unraveled quickly, and frustration is now spreading beyond the table. The loss to the Baltimore Ravens in Week 15 (7-7) was particularly damaging, raising deeper questions about the direction of the franchise and the mindset of its cornerstone quarterback.

A 24-0 loss to a division rival eliminated it Bengals out of postseason contention and ended a stretch where the team looked disjointed on both sides of the ball. In the days leading up to that game, signal the caller Joe Burrow commented on his future it drew attention across the league.

Although nothing definitive followed, the remarks added tension to an already difficult piece. After the loss to the Ravens, wide receiver Ja’Marr Chase reflected on Burrow’s state of mind, offering a rare insight into their dynamics.

“To be honest, I’ve never been in a situation with him where I’ve had to elevate him,” Chase said of Barrow, via The 33rd Team’s Ari Meirov. “But in the future, I might have to, because he does it for me, at the end of the day. You never know what he might be going through. Well, I might have to start doing that.”

#Bengals VR Ja’Marr Chase says he’s never been in a situation where he’s had to elevate Joe Burrow — but he might have to start doing it.

“You never know what he might go through.”

(🎥 @Trags) pic.twitter.com/izv4vtfnkp https://t.co/z8MknTTF3N

— Ari Meirov (@MiSportsUpdate) December 14, 2025

Chase’s words carried weight because of their unusualness. Burrow’s a long time ago seen as the emotional anchor of Bengal — a calm presence that lifts everyone else up. Chase, while acknowledging that the roles may have to change, points to both the growth in leadership from the receiver and the potential emotional strain on the quarterback.

Barrow struggled again against Baltimore, finishing 25-of-39 with two interceptions while taking three sacks. Cincinnati, who started the season 2-0 with Barrow under center, is now 4-10 amid lingering injury problems and defensive breakdowns.

While Barrow took responsibility for the suspension, the combination of his earlier comments and Chase’s public support suggests the quarterback is dealing with more than just adversity on the field. That’s not a signal of immediate change, but it’s an acknowledgment that this season has tested even the Bengals’ most resilient leader.

For now, though, one thing is clear — Ja’Marr Chase is ready to stand by his quarterback, making sure Barrow doesn’t carry the weight of a lost season alone.