Ja'Marr Chase is on the verge of a record-breaking season. Torry Holt believes Chase can break Calvin Johnson's single-season receiving yards record of 1,964 yards with a healthy Joe Burrow.
What happened?
Chase has already established himself as one of the league's elite receivers, with 127 catches for 1,708 yards and 17 touchdowns in 2024. He won the receiving Triple Crown that year, leading the NFL in receptions, receiving yards, and receiving touchdowns.
His 1,708 yards were already one of the highest single-season totals in league history and left him 256 yards shy of Johnson's record. Chase has topped 1,000 receiving yards in each of his five NFL seasons and has been Burrow's go-to target since entering the league in 2021.
Why it matters for Ja'Marr Chase
The Bengals believe they are better equipped to maximize the duo in 2026, with their defense upgraded and Burrow healthy entering training camp. If the defensive improvements hold up, Cincinnati may not need Burrow and Chase to carry every game the way they have in the past.
But if Chase is going to threaten Johnson's record, it will almost certainly be because Burrow stays healthy for a full season and the Bengals continue leaning on one of the league's best passing attacks. Holt's prediction is not an outrageous statement to make considering what these two have achieved together.
What comes next?
The Bengals open the 2026 regular season at home against the Tampa Bay Buccaneers on Sunday, Sept. 13 at 1 p.m. ET at Paycor Stadium. It will be the first test for a Bengals team that believes it has fixed enough around Burrow and Chase to compete for a Super Bowl title.
Chase and Burrow have already led the Bengals to a Super Bowl appearance and an AFC Championship Game appearance, and their connection has consistently been the foundation of Cincinnati's offense. With a healthy Burrow, Chase could be on the verge of something special in 2026.
The Bengals' roster has changed significantly, especially on defense, but the franchise's ceiling will still depend heavily on two players it has relied heavily on for years: Joe Burrow and Ja'Marr Chase. If Cincinnati is going to contend again, it will be because that quarterback-receiver duo drives the offense the way it has when both are healthy.
Before the NFL, Burrow and Chase formed one of the most productive duos in college football history at LSU. In 2019, Burrow won the Heisman Trophy and led LSU to a national championship, while Chase caught 84 passes for 1,780 yards and 20 touchdowns.
Burrow is entering his seventh NFL season and Chase his sixth, and together they remain one of the most dangerous duos in football. The 2026 season is shaping up to be a big one for Ja'Marr Chase, and NFL fans will be watching closely to see if he can break Calvin Johnson's record.