Ja'Marr Chase Highlights 3 Bengals Improving The Most During 2026 Training Camp

Ja'Marr Chase offered extended comments to the media on Thursday following Cincinnati's joint practice with the Bears, including big praise for a trio of defenders.

He feels cornerback DJ Turner II, Demetrius Knight Jr., and Barrett Carter have taken big steps forward since last season.

"Most improved. I'll probably say DJ, just overall, that I've seen," Chase noted. "I'll probably say DJ and, hmm, a linebacker, our two rookie linebackers (now second-year players). They've been playing really, really fast and physical lately, and I've been noticing it. So those two guys, yeah."

Faster Play

Dec 21, 2025; Miami Gardens, Florida, USA; Cincinnati Bengals quarterback Joe Burrow (9) and Cincinnati Bengals linebacker Demetrius Knight Jr. (44) enter the field before the game against the Miami Dolphins at Hard Rock Stadium. Mandatory Credit: Sam Navarro-Imagn Images | IMAGN IMAGES via Reuters Connect

He expanded more on the linebacker improvement as Cincinnati tries to go from 2025's NFL-worst linebacker play to average or better this fall.

"They've just been playing a little faster. As you can tell, they know what they're doing more," Chase explained. "And then last year, obviously, they were rookies coming in trying to learn and pick it up, and then they're captains of the defense, giving out the plays. So now they're more vocally leading. They're more confident calling the play. They're more confident running around, making plays. Their adjustments, and you can see it, man. They're having fun out there, screaming, and that's what you want from linebackers."

It's another notch in the improvement pole for those two massively important parts of the defense.

The strategy was clear this offseason: Beef up the defensive front ahead of Carter and Knight with Dexter Lawrence and Jonathan Allen to make their lives easier (and faster on the field).

That was on full display as Cincinnati closed out the Bears practice with multiple Caleb Williams turnovers. Chicago was a playoff team last year and is a borderline team to go dancing again (46% chance of making the playoffs on ESPN's FPI). Pulling that off against a near-contender brings heart eyes to their offensive teammates.

On the outside, Turner is shaping up to be the team's clear CB1, with a contract extension possible ahead of this season.

"It was just for him to find, but I mean, obviously, we all knew what he was like," Chase said about Turner. "That's why we drafted him, and it was just a moment in time for him to find his true colors and play within himself."

The starters get a couple of off days this weekend before diving back into training camp next week.

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