NFL official confirms why Bengals WR Ja'Marr Chase lost his cool during loss to Chiefs

NFL referees have yet to penalize a defensive player for hip-drop tackling this season. Cincinnati Bengals wide receiver Ja'Marr Chase believed he should've been the first to benefit from the new rule.

After being tackled by Kansas City Chiefs cornerback Trent McDuffie in the fourth quarter of Sunday's 26-25 loss, Chase showcased clear frustration towards head referee Alex Kemp. Quarterback Joe Burrow even had to get involved to restrain him, but Burrow's efforts didn't matter as Chase was flagged for unsportsmanlike conduct.

CBS Sports sideline reporter Tracy Wolfson initially reported that Chase's frustration stemmed from McDuffie not getting penalized for a hip-drop tackling him.

And that was indeed the case.

Kemp confirmed after the game that Chase was arguing for the tackle to be flagged as a hip-drop.

"He was questioning the tackle," Kemp told reporters. "He thought he was hip-drop tackled on the previous play. And so, he came to me wondering about a hip-drop tackle. That was the beginning line of questioning."

Players contest calls and non-calls with officials all the time, but Chase was extremely animated in this instance. It cost both him and the Bengals .

As for why the flag came, Kemp cited "abusive language" as the reason.

“It’s pretty clear cut. It’s just simply abusive language toward a game official. That’s all it was. And there was really no interpretation. I’m not going to repeat to you what he said.”

When asked about the incident, Chase declined to comment.

No one needs interpretation as to why Chase was flagged. The visual seemed pretty clear from the broadcast. Chase could've stopped, but his emotions got the better of him amid clear frustration.

That catch was the last time Chase touched the ball in the game. He finished with just four receptions for 35 yards as McDuffie did an admirable job covering him throughout the afternoon. The third-year corner was proud of how he took the Bengals' Pro Bowl wideout out of the game.

“We know what he’s about and we just do our job to a point where you mess him up," McDuffie said of Chase after the game . "You don’t have to do anything extra, just not allow him to catch the ball.

"Just not getting him the ball, I feel, is the biggest thing for us to get in his head.”

Whether or not Chase was mentally distracted by McDuffie's coverage, or maybe even his whole contract saga , he cannot lose his cool in that moment. The league clearly isn't going to be stingy about the calling hip-drop tackles at the moment, so arguing for one isn't going to get you very far.

In fact, it may only set you backwards.

Related: Bengals lose more than just a game to the Chiefs as they drop to 0-2 on the season