​Bengals’ Joe Burrow just got another reason to be excited about Ja’Marr Chase originally appeared on The Sporting News. Add The Sporting News as a Preferred Source by clicking here.Is this the year the Cincinnati Bengals finally become real contenders under superstar quarterback Joe Burrow? Those in Cincinnati are hoping the answer is, “Yes.”AdvertisementAdvertisementAdvertisementWhat helps is that Burrow has an elite wide receiver in Ja’Marr Chase. It’s funny, because Chase may not get the name recognition of some of the league’s other big wideouts, like CeeDee Lamb or Amon-Ra St. Brown, but he’s just as good, if not better, than any of the wide receivers on the field.Just how good is Chase? Well, a new ranking of every wideout heading into the 2026 season has him as the best player in his position in the entire league.On Wednesday, Jeremy Fowler of ESPN released the outlet’s tally of the best wide receivers for 2026. It’s based on a survey of league executives, coaches and scouts.AdvertisementAdvertisementAdvertisementChase is No. 1. He was also No. 1 last year. And he’s only 26.What makes Chase so good? “He looks different than everybody else with the ball in his hands,” Fowler says, adding that he dominated the vote this year.”He’s the best I’ve gone against,” one NFL head coach said, according to the report. “He can break it for 80 [yards] at any time.”Chase has collected 6,837 receiving yards over his first five seasons in NFL history, second only to Justin Jefferson, per the report. “And his 29 receptions against press coverage topped the NFL in 2025, highlighting his response when challenged at the line,” Fowler adds.AdvertisementAdvertisementAdvertisement”He showed over the past two years or so that he can play inside and outside,” a veteran NFL coach told ESPN. “[The Bengals] moved him around more, and he’s gotten better as the ultimate chess piece.”So, Burrow should consider himself very lucky to have such a steady wideout at his beck and call. If both can stay healthy, this season could be dynamite.How 49ers’ problem with Brandon Aiyuk might’ve been solved without a trade or releaseBrowns TE Harold Fannin Jr. receives ‘arrow up’ projection from NFC execBrowns’ Sheduer Sanders predicted to win QB battle during training camp