Ja'Marr Chase Ranks Steelers, Chiefs Rivalries Ahead of Bengals' AFC North Showdown

If the Pittsburgh Steelers consider the Cincinnati Bengals their top rival going into Sunday's AFC North showdown, Ja'Marr Chase does not feel the same way.

"It's up there," he told reporters Thursday when asked where he would rank the rivalry. "I wouldn't put it No. 1. I don't have nobody No. 1. But it's pretty up there, I would say."

Chase was then asked if it was on par with the rivalry with the Kansas City Chiefs and said, "No. They're way higher than that."

While Pittsburgh and Cincinnati have a longer history when it comes to the rivalry, the Chiefs have been more center stage during Chase's career since he arrived in the NFL as the No. 5 overall pick of the 2021 NFL draft.

Cincinnati and Kansas City faced each other in the AFC Championship Game in back-to-back years during his first two seasons in the league. The Bengals won the first one, while the Chiefs earned revenge in the second one.

Patrick Mahomes and Co. have also been the gold standard in the NFL during Chase's career and the franchise everyone is measuring themselves against. Kansas City went to three straight Super Bowls from the 2022 season through the 2024 one and took home two Lombardi Trophies.

It also won the Super Bowl during the 2019 campaign and reached that stage in the 2020 one before Chase arrived.

The Steelers and Bengals have a storied rivalry and one that will take center stage in a massive game Sunday since they are tied for first place in the AFC North at 6-2. However, the Chiefs have been the target for Chase and the Bengals throughout the wide receiver's career.