The Cincinnati Bengals wasted no time getting physical during their first training camp practice.
A video posted by WLWT reporter Jaron May showed star wide receiver Ja’Maar Chase confronting the defense after a play.
Chase would then pull off cornerback DJ Turner II’s helmet and throwing it away.
May reported that Chase then ‘jawed with the entire defense’ before flinching towards Jalen Davis, who squared up to him.
The pair had to be separated by teammates, and didn’t escalate much further.
Chase’s involvement on the opening day of the season is likely to turn heads because of what happened last season.
Chase was suspended for one game after spitting on Pittsburgh Steelers cornerback Jalen Ramsey during an altercation between the teams.
“If the intensity’s not great on day one then you’re in trouble,” quarterback Joe Burrow said in his post-practice press conference.
“Those are two of the best in the league and they’re gonna be going at it ever day so whatever those guys need to get and get better, go ahead and do it.
“If you can punch somebody in the face in about 15-20 seconds and get back lined up, that’s probably ideal.”
Chase caught 125 passes for 1,412 yards and eight touchdowns in 2025.
His monster year came after winning the receiving triple crown in 2024 with league-leading totals of 127 catches, 1,708 yards and 17 touchdowns.
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However, despite having one of the best wide receivers in the league on their roster, the Bengals have missed the playoffs in three consecutive seasons due to multiple factors.
Burrow, who commands one of the highest salaries amongst quarterbacks in the league, has struggled to stay on the field in this stretch.
In 2023, Burrow suffered a torn wrist ligament in Week 11, ending his season early.
Backup Jake Browning filling in admirably to keep the team at 9–8, it wasn’t enough to secure an AFC wild-card spot in a stacked conference.
In 2025, Burrow missed three months after being diagnosed with a Grade 3 Turf Toe injury – with the team trading for Joe Flacco.
Additionally, their defense struggled last year, finishing 30th in points allowed and 31st in yards allowed last season, surrendering 492 points and 6,475 yards.
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In an attempt to correct this, the Bengals went all out on upgrading their defense in the offseason.
They traded the No. 10 pick in the NFL Draft to the New York Giants, in exchange for Dexter Lawrence II.
Cincinnati also signed Pro Bowl defensive tackle Jonathan Allen and Boye Mafe in free agency.
Cincinnati’s training camp scrap is just the opening salvo of a season where anything short of a deep playoff run will be deemed a failure.
