Patriots’ Christian Gonzalez feels Bengals star is the best player in NFL currently and it’s not Joe Burrow

Ja’Marr Chase, Cincinnati Bengals WR, became the sixth Triple Crown in receiving winner and the first since Cooper Kupp in 2021.

Patriots’ Christian Gonzalez feels Bengals star is the best player in NFL currently and it’s not Joe Burrow

Christian Gonzalez, Ja’Marr Chase (Image via the Enquirer)

New England Patriots cornerback Christian Gonzalez has quickly made a name for himself in the NFL. Despite playing just 20 games, the 22-year-old has already gained league-wide respect as a rising star, nearly earning Pro Bowl and All-Pro honors in his first full season.

However, the recognition he has received doesn’t compare to the high praise he recently gave Cincinnati Bengals wide receiver Ja’Marr Chase. In an appearance on Frat Rules Podcast, Gonzalez showered high praise on the league’s triple crown winner.

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Reflecting on their matchup from this past season, Gonzalez didn’t just label Chase the best wide receiver or the top offensive player. Instead, he went a step further, declaring the Bengals’ All-Pro wideout as the best football player.

Ja’Marr [is] the best football player. I’d say he the best football player because the way they use him. He not out there just like running routes. They don’t line him up at the X and say, ‘Oh run a dig route.’ I mean, they do occasionally. But what he do, they move him around. They give him screens, they put him in the backfield. . .They use him a lot because he’s good with the ball in his hands, so they just wanna get him the ball and let him go to work.

Christian Gonzalez said

Chase is set to becoming the highest-paid wide receiver in history once the deal is finalized—an achievement that would also make him the highest-paid non-quarterback the league has ever seen. With his talent and accolades, it’s not a matter of if, but when, he secures a record-breaking contract.

Christian Gonzalez Compares Ja’Marr Chase to Derrick Henry in Unique Analysis

In the podcast, Christian Gonzalez highlighted Ja’Marr Chase’s versatility and the challenges he presents to opposing defenses. According to Gonzalez, Chase’s skill set extends beyond that of a traditional wide receiver, making him an even bigger threat on the field.

Ja'Marr Chase, Cincinnati Bengals
Ja’Marr Chase (Image via AP)

Gonzalez even went as far as to compare Chase to Baltimore Ravens running back Derrick Henry, a player known for his bruising running style and ability to dominate with the ball in his hands.

They use him a lot because he’s good with the ball in his hands. So they just wanna get him the ball and let him go to work. Ja’Marr Chase big too. Ja’Marr Chase like a running back. So like when he get the ball in his hands, it’s like a little Derrick Henry.

Christian Gonzalez on Ja’Marr Chase’s ability to get yards after catch

In 2024, under new offensive coordinator Dan Pitcher, the Bengals utilized Chase in more dynamic ways than ever before. His increased movement across formations and deployment in different areas of the field made him even more difficult to contain.

Chase ranked seventh in the NFL in receptions behind the line of scrimmage with 23 and had an impressive 12th-highest yards per route run (7.04) on those targets. Additionally, he remained a dominant force in the intermediate and deep portions of the field, ranking in the top 12 in both categories.