In the fourth quarter of the Bengals Week 2 game at the Kansas City Chiefs last season, Ja’Marr Chase was called for a crucial unsportsmanlike conduct penalty after getting into an argument with referee Alex Kemp.
Chase had just four receptions for 35 yards in that game, a week after he had just six receptions for 62 yards in Week 1 against the New England Patriots.
Those two games came after Chase and the Bengals couldn’t reach a deal on a contract extension. The failed negotiations dominated headlines throughout Training Camp, and Chase could have been distracted going into the regular season after holding in during Training Camp.