New England Patriots cornerback Christian Gonzalez had high praise for Cincinnati Bengals wide receiver Ja’Marr Chase, who is currently set to hit the free agent market in 2026.
The two met earlier in Week 1 of the 2024 season, and Gonzalez fared well in the one-on-one matchups by only allowing three catches for 15 yards.
With that said, Chase went on to earn the triple crown by leading the NFL in receptions, receiving yards and touchdowns. The LSU product showed why he is one of the most dynamic playmakers in football by recording 127 receptions for 1,780 yards and 17 touchdowns.
“Ja’Marr the best football player,” said Gonzalez on the “Frat Rules” podcast. “I’d say he the best football player because the way they use him. He not out there just running routes. They don’t line him up at the X and say, ‘Oh run a dig route.’ I mean, they do occasionally. But what he do, they move him around.
“They give him screens, they put him in the backfield, like CeeDee Lamb. They use him a lot ‘cause he good with the ball in his hands, so they just wanna get him the ball and let him go to work. I mean, Ja’Marr Chase big, too. Ja’Marr Chase like a running back. So when he get the ball in his hands, it’s like a little Derrick Henry, really.”
This is not the first time that Chase has been spoken highly of by a Patriots player this offseason. Drake Maye sang the All-Pro receiver’s praises as well after throwing to him at the Pro Bowl.
The Bengals could be entering a rough stretch with Chase’s contract situation. Wideout Tee Higgins is expected to be franchise tagged for a second straight season, which means Cincy will need to figure out a way to pay both Higgins and Chase.
The Patriots could be in play for Chase if he somehow managed to hit the free agent market in 2026. However, even with salary cap issues, the Bengals could franchise tag him when the time comes next year if they fail to agree on a long-term contract. It’s hard to envision them letting that kind of talent walk out of the door.
That probably wouldn’t sit too well with their franchise quarterback, Joe Burrow.