Ja'Marr Chase Reacts to Trending Video of Bengals Scuffle, 'That's What I Want...But I Like It'

Ja'Marr Chase is a fan of the competitiveness cornerback Jalen Davis brought to the practice field even after they got into a scuffle at training camp.

"It happens," the Cincinnati Bengals wide receiver told reporters Thursday when discussing the scuffle. "Gotta bounce back, it's competitiveness." 

He also said "that's what I want" from the defensive backs. "... But I like it."

Training camp scuffles are nothing new in the NFL, but it still made headlines when the Bengals' go-to weapon in the aerial attack was involved in one during their first practice of training camp:

Chase's comments about wanting to see that edge from the defense is notable.

After all, offense isn't exactly a concern in Cincinnati if Joe Burrow, Chase, Tee Higgins and Chase Brown stay healthy. But the only way the team is going to realistically compete in the AFC North and for a deep playoff run is if the defensive side of the ball takes significant strides.

The defense was an ugly 31st in the league in yards allowed and 30th in points allowed last season after finishing 25th in each category the previous campaign. It was the third straight lackluster season for the group, as the defense was 31st in yards allowed in 2023 as well.

The defensive struggles have undercut some of the explosiveness on the offensive side, as the Bengals missed the playoffs entirely in 2024 even though Burrow led the league in passing yards and touchdowns while Chase completed the wide receiver triple crown of leading the league in catches, receiving yards and touchdown catches.

Perhaps the fight Davis showed on the practice field is a sign of what is to come for a defense that needs to improve in 2026.