Ja'Marr Chase says issues Bengals need to change are 'pretty obvious'

Matt Sullivan

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Ja'Marr Chase says issues Bengals need to change are 'pretty obvious' image

The Cincinnati Bengals are entering a Week 18 matchup against the Cleveland Browns, not playing for a playoff spot, and not with the anticipation of a playoff matchup the following week.

This season has been a challenging one, and there are a lot of issues that need to be fixed and changes that need to be made this offseason.

When ESPN's Ben Baby asked superstar wide receiver Ja'Marr Chase what he believes needs to be fixed this offseason, Chase said that the answer is "pretty obvious."

Bengals' Ja'Marr Chase says issues to fix are 'pretty obvious'

"I think some of the things are pretty obvious, what we need to change," Chase said. At the end of the day, I can't really say or put an emphasis on what needs to be changed because that's not my role. But it's pretty obvious on what some issues need to be changed."

Chase says the issues are obvious, but won't say what exactly those issues are. The most pressing issue for this Bengals team is fixing the defense.

While there's been some hope as of late, the Bengals' defense is still a ways behind a playoff-caliber defense in the NFL.

Myles Murphy, DJ Turner, and Jordan Battle, among others, have flashed in 2025. But the defense as a whole is severely disappointing.

Whether it's signing top free agents, making the right draft-day choices, or moving on from some players, the Bengals need to hit all of the right buttons with this defense this offseason to bounce back in 2026.

More: Bengals' Ja'Marr Chase makes football history never done by another NFL WR

There's hope, however. Chase said, "It's a 100% fixable, I believe so." The defense can be fixed in one offseason, as a few strong additions and development from young players could turn this unit around in a big way.

Other than the defense, improving the offensive line, and having more sound coaching could help turn this Bengals team around in 2026.

Joe Burrow, Tee Higgins, Chase Brown, and Chase on offense are a championship-caliber group. But the other phases of the game, especially the defense, are issues that need to be fixed this offseason.

Chase said that the issues that need to be fixed are obvious, and after what's been put on the field this season, the defense, and potentially even Zac Taylor and the coaching staff, come to mind as the most likely issues Chase is referring to.

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