Ja’Marr Chase Takes Jab at Chiefs’ Secondary, Bryan Cook

The Kansas City Chiefs and Cincinnati Bengals have formed quite the AFC rivalry over the past few years. When the NFL schedule revealed that the two sides would meet on New Year's Eve, many anticipated that a Joe Burrow-Patrick Mahomes duel could be a potential conference championship preview.

That won't be the case on Sunday, as Burrow is out for the year due to injury and neither side has locked up a playoff spot. Andy Reid's squad is much more likely to do so than Zac Taylor's at this juncture, but Week 17's game still carries a ton of importance for that exact reason: there's something left to play for. It's part of why superstar receiver Ja'Marr Chase is trying to play through a separated shoulder after returning to practice on Thursday.

While Chase wouldn't say whether he's going to play against the Chiefs on Sunday, he had a lot of thoughts on the Kansas City secondary. Ironically, he doesn't think anything about it stands out to him. 

"If I'm being honest, nothing," Chase said. "They just know how to play us. They know the leverages, they know what splits we're in, they just know what we're going to do in certain moments. They throw little double-doubles at us to stop the two best players on the outside and that's all they do. It's not really like they've got a Jalen Ramsey on their squad, so not much."

Although it's true that Steve Spagnuolo's secondary doesn't have a prototypical Ramsey — a six-time Pro Bowler and three-time All-Pro — it still boasts some top-shelf talent. The cornerback duo of L'Jarius Sneed and Trent McDuffie is emerging as one of the league's best. The former is stepping up in a contract year by shadowing top opposing wideouts, with the latter improving in year No. 2 as perhaps the best nickel corner in football. 

Chase's comment about double-teaming goes against what those like Sneed have been about all year long. That isn't stopping him from rolling with it, though. 

"I know what I see on paper and I know what I see in-game," Chase said. "That's why they double everybody, because they can't do it one-on-one. The best player on their team is (L'Jarius) Sneed. That's a fact, everybody knows that. That's why they double-double everything they see. They just drafted, what, two new corners that are longer? They're trying to match Sneed. That's why Sneed's at corner and all. I already know it. I'm not bugged about it. They know I'm good, they know how to play us. That's what it is, but it's not like they've got a superstar on their defense." 

In two career regular-season games versus Kansas City, Chase has some insane stats. Fueled by an 11-catch, 266-yard, three-touchdown performance in Week 17 of the 2021 campaign, he's at 18 receptions for 363 yards overall. In last season's AFC Championship Game, he hauled in six passes for 75 yards but didn't score. It was a 20-13 loss for the Bengals, then the Chiefs go on to win Super Bowl LVII. 

Cincinnati's defense isn't what it once was. Through 15 games, it ranks 30th in EPA per play allowed, 21st in scoring and 31st in yardage. Part of that decline is due to personnel. For example, veteran safety Jessie Bates departed via free agency and left a void in the back end of Lou Anarumo's secondary. At the end of his Chiefs thoughts, Chase brought up his old teammate. Taking a jab at Kansas City safety Bryan Cook, who's currently on the injured reserve list, Chase didn't mince words. 

"I don't even know who that is," Chase said. "Is that No. 6? I don't know, man. Just a guy to me. He ain't Jessie Bates to me. You want me to go [with] comparisons? It's not the same, just saying." 

It's safe to say that regardless of whether Chase or Sneed (who's also battling an injury) plays on Sunday, there's no love lost between these teams. Even in a down year for the rivalry, the fire is still there. This isn't the first time Chase has fired off some controversial comments on the Chiefs, and it may not be the last. With him talking the talk, however, it may be critical for him to walk the walk if possible this weekend.