Former LSU receiver named PFWA Offensive Rookie of the Year

Former LSU Tigers and Cincinnati Bengals rookie Ja’Marr Chase has had a record-setting first season, and it’s not over yet. The Pro Football Writers Association announced on Tuesday that Chase won the offensive rookie of the year award.

After setting the new rookie single-game receiving record earlier this season, Chase set a new record in the Bengals’ win over the Titans on Saturday. He became the first rookie in NFL history to have 100-plus receiving yard performances in consecutive postseason games.

Ja’Marr Chase has amassed 81 receptions for 1,455 yards and 13 touchdowns this season for Cincinnati.

Joining the Bengals rookie in receiving top first-year honors is former Penn State linebacker Micah Parsons. The Cowboys star won defensive rookie of the year.

With more history to be made, Chase and the Bengals will look to make their first Super Bowl since 1989 next week in the AFC Championship game versus the Chiefs. Last time out versus Kansas City, the rookie posted 266 yards and three scores in a narrow win.

Chase, Bengals making a run

Despite his accolades so far, Ja’Marr Chase is still chasing the first playoff touchdown of his career. Quarterback Joe Burrow has only thrown two touchdowns since the start of the playoffs, once to tight end C.J. Uzomah and the other to Tyler Boyd, both coming last week against the Raiders.

While Chase might be taking away most of the individual accolades — the Bengals’ playoff run has been a team effort.

First, the Bengals won their first postseason game in 31 seasons after defeating the Raiders at home during the wildcard round 26-19. The game came down to the wire and was sealed when Germaine Pratt picked off Derek Carr in the final seconds of regulation.

One week later, rookie kicker Evan McPherson kicked the Bengals to their first road playoff game in franchise history with a 52-yard field goal and Cincinnati’s first AFC Championship game in 33 years.