Ja'Marr Chase's dad hoped a different NFL team would draft his son

Ja’Marr Chase is loving life in Cincinnati. He has blossomed into one of the best wide receivers in football, working with former LSU quarterback Joe Burrow. Between the team and individual success, Chase has to see a long-term future with the Bengals.

Not everybody in his family wanted it that way, though. Chase’s Dad, Jimmy, recently admitted he wished Miami was the ultimate destination for his son. Both the Dolphins and Bengals were inside the top 10 of the 2021 NFL Draft and looking for a receiver.

The Bengals were fresh off an uninspiring 4-11-1 season. Burrow suffered a leg injury and saw his rookie year end early. Jimmy Chase was not feeling his son going No. 5 overall and instead wanted him to fall No. 6 to Miami.

“I was like, ‘I don’t know anything about Cincinnati and they’re not that good right now. So, why don’t we just go to South Beach, right?’ I could just go sit on the beach and watch Ja’Marr on the team, right?” he said.

Cincinnati wound up with Chase, while Miami took Alabama‘s Jaylen Waddle a pick later. While Jimmy Chase might be wondering what it would be like to hang out in sunny Florida, every party involved is probably happy with the results. Getting Chase back with Burrow was the dream scenario for the Bengals and for good reason.

Burrow and Chase put up video game numbers in Baton Rouge during the 2019 season. Chase finished with 84 receptions for 1,780 yards and 20 touchdowns. Of course, LSU won the national championship before Chase opted out of his junior season in 2020.

Even so, reconnecting with Burrow was not enough to convince Jimmy Chase of his son playing in Cincinnati.

“I said, ‘I like Joe and everything, but, Cincinnati, Ja’Marr? I don’t know about all that,” Jimmy Chase said.

In two campaigns with the Bengals, Chase has been named a Pro Bowler twice after 1,000-yard seasons. He was also named AP Rookie of the Year. To say things have gotten off to a good start in Cincinnati would be an understatement.

To this point, there has not been an extension presented to the wide receiver, having two, probably three years remaining on his rookie deal. If he wanted to make his father happy, a move down to Miami could still be in the cards. But you have to imagine sticking with Burrow at the top of the AFC is the best plan moving forward.