Ja’Marr Chase Names the 2 Toughest CBs He’s Faced in His NFL Career

Bengals Joe Burrow says that Browns Denzel Ward and the Broncos Patrick Surtain are the two best corners he has faced in the NFL.

Ja’Marr Chase Names the 2 Toughest CBs He’s Faced in His NFL Career

Denzel Ward, Patrick Surtain and Ja'Marr Chase inside the circle (Image via IMAGO/X)

Ja’Marr Chase revealed the names of the two corners who have always troubled him during games. Regardless, the Cincinnati Bengals wide receiver is looking forward to facing both.

During his first five years in the NFL, Chase lined up against some of the defensive backs the game has to offer. He won some of the skirmishes while a few went the other way.

Speaking to NFL Network’s Marc Ross and Cameron Wolfe from the Bengals camp, the All-Pro wideout revealed the names of the two DBs who have given him the hardest time.

Denzel Ward [Cleveland Browns], Patrick Surtain [Denver Broncos], [those] are definitely the two guys by far.

Ja’Marr Chase said

As the Bengals and the Browns are divisional foes, Chase goes up against Ward twice each year. Surtain, meanwhile, is only the third defensive back to win the coveted NFL Defensive Player of the Year Award in 2024.

The Bengals play the Browns on December 6 and the final day of the 2026 NFL season. They don’t play the Broncos this year, unless both qualify for the playoffs.

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Patrick Surtain once revealed how to slow down Ja’Marr Chase

Chase is one of the best receivers in football. He’s rubbing shoulders with former LSU teammate Justin Jefferson, Seahawks Jaxon Smith-Njigba, Rams Puka Nacua, and Cowboys’ CeeDee Lamb and George Pickens.

Pat Surtain on the other hand, ranks among the premier DBs. The former 9th overall pick is a three-time All-Pro and four-time Pro Bowler. If anyone knows tricks and tips to stop Chase and the other elite receivers, it’s him.

Trusting your technique, switching it up on him. When I look at matchups like that, I always try to look at the routes that he succeeds in. And how frequently does he get open in certain looks? I try to minimize that as much as I can.

Patrick Surtain said on Monday Night Football (H/T Sports Illustrated)

Ja’Marr Chase gave the verdict on quarterback Joe Burrow’s mindset heading into the 2026 season

The Bengals haven’t qualified for the playoffs for three straight seasons. They came close to reaching that stage in 2024 when Chase bagged the triple crown, leading the league in receptions, receiving yards, and touchdowns. Quarterback Joe Burrow threw a career-high 460 completions for 4918 yards and 43 TDs. However, the Bengals’ defense let the team down. They finished with a 9-8 record and missed postseason football.

Ja’Marr Chase Names the 2 Toughest CBs He’s Faced in His NFL Career
Joe Burrow (Image via IMAGO)

In 2025, Burrow just couldn’t stay healthy. He missed several weeks of football due to a turf toe injury. When he came back, the chances of making it to the playoffs were long gone. The Bengals finished 6-11.

2026 could be a make-or-break year for Burrow and the Bengals. According to Chase, the two-time Comeback Player of the Year has been attacking training camp with an aggressive mentality that he has rarely seen in him.

I like him when [Joe Burrow’s] [] pissed. I’m not going to lie. I like him when he’s like that. I like the fire that he has, you know what I’m saying? He don’t always bring it out. I don’t mind it, though, man. I’m not going to lie. I don’t mind it. That’s hard coaching. That’s critical coaching. He’s holding me accountable. I appreciate that. I would do the same to him.

Chase told Cameron Wolfe

Burrow has a 43-33-1 record in the regular season and a 5-2 record in the playoffs (most of those wins came during the Bengals’ 2021 season when they reached the Super Bowl).

Per Sports Illustrated’s Ryan Gilbert, Bengals QB Joe Burrow has the third-best odds (+850) to win the NFL MVP in 2026-27. Only Bills Josh Allen and Ravens Lamar Jackson boast better odds.

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