Bengals receiver Chase now has 'extra motivation' after snub from video game
CINCINNATI (WKRC) - Ja'Marr Chase put together one of the greatest seasons in NFL history by a rookie wide receiver, and now the Bengals star has found what he calls "extra motivation" for next season due to a snub from a video game.
The annual Madden ratings came out on Monday in advance of the game's 2023 release and Chase was tied for 18th overall at the receiver position with a rating of 87. He noted the slight on social media: "i’m going keep working. Extra motivation (emoji)"
NFL MVP and Super Bowl hero Cooper Kupp of the Los Angeles Rams finished second with a 98 rating behind the new addition for the Las Vegas Raiders, Davante Adams, who got a 99.
Those two were followed by Tyreek Hill (97), DeAndre Hopkins (96), Stefon Diggs (95), Justin Jefferson (93), Mike Evans (92), Terry McLaurin (91), Keenan Allen (91), Amari Cooper (90), Michael Thomas (90), Tyler Lockett (90), Chris Godwin (89), DK Metcalf (89), Deebo Samuel (89), Adam Thielen (88) and DJ Moore (88). Chase tied with Brandin Cooks (87) and AJ Brown (87).
There were also five tight ends with higher overall ratings than Chase: Travis Kelce (98), George Kittle (97), Mark Andrews (93), Darren Waller (91) and TJ Hockenson (89).
Chase won three honors as the NFL's top rookie last season, including Pepsi Zero Sugar NFL Rookie of the Year regardlesss of position. He broke franchise rookie records for touchdown catches (13) and receptions (81) to help the Bengals advance to Super Bowl LVI on Feb. 13 in Los Angeles.
Chase also broke the single-season franchise receiving record with 1,455 yards, had five 100-yard receiving games and was named to the Pro Bowl.
With regard to the "snub," Tampa Bay Bucs QB Tom Brady tweeted and tagged Chase on social media:
