Ja’Marr Chase gets a vote of confidence from ex-Chiefs star for signing record-breaking contract with the Bengals

Former Chiefs and current Saints safety Justin Reid claimed Ja'Marr Chase deserved to become one of the highest paid receivers despite sharing bad blood in the past.

Ja’Marr Chase gets a vote of confidence from ex-Chiefs star for signing record-breaking contract with the Bengals

Ja'Marr Chase and Justin Reid (Image via IMAGO/X)

Ja’Marr Chase and Justin Reid have a history of talking smack to each other. Yet even the star safety knows that Chase deserved his blockbuster contract from the Cincinnati Bengals.

Chase’s record speaks for itself. He constantly pushed the likes of his ex-LSU teammate and Vikings WR Justin Jefferson in every number since they entered the league. Last year, he went completely nuclear, bagging the triple crown. Chase recorded 127 receptions for 1708 yards and 17 receiving touchdowns, leading the league in each department.

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The Bengals felt compelled to award Chase with a big and long-term contract. Chase signed a four-year $160 million contract with $112 million in guaranteed money, becoming the highest-paid non-quarterback player in NFL history.

Reid, who lost the Super Bowl LIX with the Kansas City Chiefs, faced off against Chase multiple times in his NFL career and witnessed his greatness and trash-talking firsthand. And despite the rivalry on the field, Reid claimed Chase deserved his new multi-million-dollar contract.

He [Ja’Marr Chase] earned it. The guy is dominant.

Justin Reid told Kay Adams on Up & Adams

Despite the praise, Reid also showed concern about the Bengals’ shaky defense.

I think they are gonna have to get creative on how they are gonna solve the defensive problems they had last year… I don’t even know, is it $170 million? Or $120 million [the Bengals are spending] on their top 3 players [Joe Burrow, Chase and Tee Higgins].

Justin Reid quipped

The Bengals defense was in shambles in 2024, conceding an average of 25 points per game. As Reid highlighted, the contracts to Joe Burrow, Tee Higgins, and Chase occupy nearly 44% of the Bengals’ cap space, limiting their spending power in free agency.

Justin Reid loves the challenge from receivers like Ja’Marr Chase

Reid is among the prime defensive backs in the NFL for a number of years. The 28-year-old won two Super Bowls during his time with the Chiefs and came close to a three-peat but was sadly denied the chance to create history by the Eagles.

Ja'Marr Chase gets a vote of confidence from ex-Chiefs star Justin Reid for signing record-breaking contract with the Bengals
Ja’Marr Chase (Image via IMAGO)

Following the loss, Reid moved on to sign with the Saints and is looking forward to facing new opponents similar to Chase in the NFC.

There’s only one Ja’Marr [Chase]. “I’m saying about the fierceness of, like how much I want to crush them—Maybe it’s Mike Evans [Buccaneers WR]. I would say Mike Evans, but like, I don’t know, when I play so many other receivers around the league is like, I don’t know. It’s not as personal, like, it’s also not personal with Ja’Marr. But you know, sometimes it feels good. It always feels good.

Justin Reid said

Chase’s hatred for the Chiefs is very well known and the feeling is mutual among the Chiefs fans too. He often got into heated arguments with a Chiefs player in the past, especially with former Chief and current Titans cornerback L’Jarius Sneed.

However, Chase also picked a fight with Reid a while back. Before a game in 2022, Reid taunted the Bengals’ receivers, claiming the Chiefs’ defense quite easily.

They have 88 – [Tyler] Higbee.  No, it’s not. Higbee was with the Rams. What’s his name? Higgins. It is Higgins. Higbee and Higgins. They are going to have him back. He’s a very talented receiver. More of a finesse type of guy. Not the best blocker. I’m going to lock him down. Straight up.

Justin Reid said

Reid confused tight end Hayden Hurst with Higgins. His statement triggered a social media war. Chase fired back saying that the Stanford graduate doesn’t watch film.

I don’t think he’s watching the film at all. I don’t think he knows the personnel on whoever he’s trying to check if he’s even checking anybody. He needs to go back and watch the film, look at his personnel, and look at what he wants to know.

Ja’Marr Chase said via Sports Illustrated

Chase and Reid will have to wait to face each other on the field again. Reid switched divisions, signing with the Saints, and they don’t face the Bengals any time soon.

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