Ja'Marr Chase Loves 'Pissed' Version of Bengals QB Joe Burrow

Joe Burrow has made a deliberate effort to show a different side of himself as a leader this year, and superstar wide receiver Ja'Marr Chase is fully on board.

The Cincinnati Bengals quarterback talked earlier this offseason about becoming more vocal and even a little "mean" when teammates aren't meeting the standard. Burrow said in June that he wanted to bring more urgency to the locker room by calling things out immediately and with more intensity.

Chase has gotten an up-close look at that version of his longtime quarterback during training camp. He wouldn't mind seeing it more often.

Ja'Marr Chase Loves 'Pissed' Joe Burrow

Cincinnati Bengals quarterback Joe Burrow\ — Jan 8, 2023; Cincinnati, Ohio, USA; Cincinnati Bengals quarterback Joe Burrow (9) yells at the officials during the third quarter against the Baltimore Ravens at Paycor Stadium. Mandatory Credit: Joseph Maiorana-USA TODAY Sports | USA TODAY Sports

“I like it when he's pissed,” Chase said in an interview with NFL Network on Sunday. “I like it when Joe's pissed. I'm not gonna lie. I like it when he's like that. I like the fire that he has.”

Chase said in the interview that Burrow hasn't displayed that side of his personality all too often since camp began, but added that it's surfaced once or twice. When it does, though, the difference is obvious.

“His demeanor is just more aggressive,” Chase said. “His face is more aggressive. The way he talks is more aggressive, and he got like a little mean mug on his face a little bit. So I kind of like when he's like that.”

The “aggressive” edge isn’t exclusive to everyone else either.

Burrow has gotten after Chase before, and it's something the All-Pro wide receiver doesn't take issue with. He views it as part of the accountability that has made their partnership so successful.

“I don't mind it, though, man. I'm not gonna lie. I don't mind it,” Chase said. “That's hard coaching. That's critical coaching. He's holding me accountable. I appreciate that. I would do the same to him.”

Burrow explained in June that becoming more vocal was outside his comfort zone, but that he viewed it as an area where he could grow as a leader. He's also stressed the urgency surrounding a Bengals team that has missed the playoffs in three consecutive seasons despite having championship expectations.

If "Mean Joe" is part of Burrow's effort to change that, his No. 1 wide receiver certainly isn't asking him to tone it down. The end goal is to be the only team holding the Lombardi Trophy in Inglewood, California, come February, and Burrow's leadership plays a significant role in that.

“I like it when he’s f—ing pissed”

Ja’Marr Chase breaks down to us what ‘mean Joe’ Burrow looks like from his view 😂

There’s been more ‘Mean Joe’ this year with increased Bengals urgency: pic.twitter.com/tzYQAqu34t
— Cameron Wolfe (@CameronWolfe) August 9, 2026

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