Ja'Marr Chase's Blunt Message to Chiefs Before Week 2 Game

Cincinnati Bengals star wide receiver Ja'Marr Chase has never shied away from expressing his opinions about the Kansas City Chiefs, and he did so again on Thursday, September 12, while speaking to reporters in the Bengals' locker room.

Chase, drafted fifth overall in the 2021 NFL Draft, has been a vital piece of the Bengals' success since stepping onto the field. In his rookie season, he set the NFL rookie receiving record at the time with 1,455 yards on 81 receptions and 13 touchdowns.

Chase’s rivalry with the Chiefs has become one of the league’s most intense, and he didn’t hesitate to remind everyone how both teams feel about each other.

"The energy is there on both sides," Chase said. "I'm sure they know we don't like them, and we know they don't like us."

The Bengals and Chiefs have faced off in several high-stakes AFC matchups, including the 2021 and 2022 AFC Championship Games, adding fuel to the rivalry.

Tensions escalated even more when Chase, in the 2024 NFL Top 100 rankings, refused to say Patrick Mahomes' name after Mahomes was ranked No. 1.

"I'm not saying his name," Chase remarked, acknowledging Mahomes' talent while voicing his frustration, especially following Kansas City's back-to-back Super Bowl wins.

One of Chase’s most iconic performances against the Chiefs came in 2021 when he set an NFL rookie record with 266 receiving yards in a single game, leading the Bengals to a victory and further intensifying the rivalry.

Chase's confidence in Bengals quarterback Joe Burrow and his refusal to back down from Mahomes and the Chiefs continue to make this one of the NFL's most anticipated matchups. The Bengals and Chiefs will meet again in Week 2 on Sunday, September 15, at 4:25 p.m. ET.

Related: Ja'Marr Chase’s Contract 'Trajectory' Made Clear After Latest Report