In response to star wide receiver Ja’Marr Chase’s post-game remarks following Sunday’s difficult loss to the Los Angeles Chargers, Cincinnati Bengals head coach Zac Taylor stated that the two are “very much on the same page.”
Even though Chase was upset and made passionate comments after the game, Taylor denied that they were at odds.
Chase had voiced his dissatisfaction with the Bengals’ incapacity to finish games in a locker room interview following the defeat.
He responded, “I don’t know,” when asked how the squad could perform better in those circumstances. Consult Zac Taylor. Consult the coaches. Don’t ask me. That’s not my job.
I play football on the field, I don’t call plays for us. So I can’t really do nothing.” Of the Bengals’ seven losses this season, six have been by a single score.
During his weekly press conference on Tuesday, Taylor responded to the situation, explaining that he didn’t mind seeing players express emotion after tough games.
“When you’ve got a guy that works as hard as he does, leaves it all on the field, I do think things can look differently than what they really are,” said Taylor.
“He’s one of the most genuine players I’ve ever been around. He’s honest, insightful, and puts it all out there for us. I don’t have problems with guys that work as hard as they do speaking with emotion after the game, speaking with passion.”
Taylor reassured the media that he and Chase have a strong working relationship and are aligned in their goals.
“He and I are very much on the same page, and I appreciate the work he puts in. Sometimes, postgame, it gets emotional. And that’s the way it is,” Taylor continued.
Chase has continued to be one of the Bengals’ best players despite their poor play over the last month, going 1-3.
Chase has caught 34 catches for 436 yards and six touchdowns in the last four games, three of which were played without fellow wide receiver Tee Higgins.
With 75 yards, seven catches, and two scores on Sunday, he recorded multiple touchdown receptions in back-to-back games for the first time this season and just the second time in his career.
I speak with Ja’Marr once a week. “I’m sure we’re always in agreement,” Taylor remarked. “The player and I have a bond there.
We make an effort to take the initiative in these areas to give them the best chance of success. And I have no doubt that we have given Ja’Marr the finest chance for success.
Chase leads the NFL in receiving yards (1,056), touchdowns (12), and receptions (73) as of Week 11.
His 14.5 yards per reception puts him fourth among receivers targeted at least 45 times, and he is one of just three players in the league to have been targeted 100 or more times.
Taylor remarked, “I never hold it against a player when they have an emotional reaction after the game.”
As a team, we’ll keep going forward. I’m grateful he’s on our team since I enjoy working with him. We all want to win, and that’s all he wants.
After a bye week, the Bengals will play their first game of the season on Sunday, December 1, against the Pittsburgh Steelers, who are atop the AFC North.
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