The Cincinnati Bengals have faced a recurring problem with sluggish starts, and star receiver Ja'Marr Chase is raising eyebrows with his bold take on the team’s preseason strategy.

At a recent press conference, Chase candidly pondered, “Sounds like we need to play preseason, huh? You all found your own answers,” addressing the media about the team’s early-season struggles.

Interestingly, Chase also made it clear that given a choice, he would prefer to skip the preseason entirely. Last year’s preseason woes stemmed from a contract dispute, which left him unprepared for the regular season, consequently affecting his performance in Week 1 against the Patriots.

Reflecting on that experience, he admitted, “I could say I wasn’t mentally ready to be on the field. I was in my own head. I wanted to play, but I was just overthinking everything.” This situation was exacerbated by unresolved contract issues, a dilemma that even fellow receiver Tee Higgins faced.

Bengals head coach Zac Taylor is also weighing the pros and cons of playing starters during the preseason, emphasizing the potential benefits. “That’s always subject to change, depending on health and how things go during training camp,” he shared, hinting at discussions with players about giving them crucial game time.

As the Bengals prepare for a promising start with games against the Browns and the Jaguars, the question remains: Will playing the starters in the preseason help flip the script on their slow starts? Or will the team continue to grapple with the pressure of the regular season?

All eyes will be on Chase and the Bengals as they navigate these important decisions in the lead-up to the season.