Bengals' Most Important Position, Next to Quarterback, for 2026

News ArticlePublishedJul 19, 2026 at 09:00 PM EDTThe Cincinnati Bengals know exactly what their offense is built around. Joe Burrow is the face of the franchise, but right behind him is a player who can change a game in a handful of plays: Ja'Marr Chase.When looking at the Bengals' most important non-quarterback position for 2026, wide receiver is the clear answer, and Chase remains the reason why. He's not just a talented pass-catcher. He's the kind of player who forces defenses to completely rethink how they want to play Cincinnati. That's fun, unless you're playing them.Chase's ability to create separation, stretch the field and turn small openings into big, meaty plays makes him the engine of the Bengals' passing game. Defensive coordinators can't simply line up and hope for the best.