Joe Burrow & Ja’Marr Chase: From College To The Super Bowl
One is a hometown hero known for his iconic postgame cigar smoking antics and the other is a kid from Louisiana known for the touchdown dance titled “The Griddy.”
The dynamic duo is quarterback Joe Burrow and wide receiver Ja’Marr Chase.
The pair will be leading the Cincinnati Bengals into Super Bowl LVI to face the Rams on Feb. 13.
But, how did the two stars get to this point?
Let’s break it down.
Joe Burrow originally transferred to LSU from Ohio State after his sophomore season. In his first season at LSU he threw for 2,894 yards, 16 touchdowns and five interceptions.
Ja’Marr Chase was a freshman when Burrow transferred to LSU. His freshman year, Chase racked up only 23 catches for 313 yards and three touchdowns.
The 2019 season for Joe Burrow, Ja’Marr Chase and the LSU Tigers is widely considered one of the best teams and seasons to date. Burrow and Chase led the Tigers to a 15-0 undefeated season and they were crowned National Champions after defeating Clemson by a score of 42-25.
The Burrow-Chase connection was born as the duo combined for 221 yards on nine catches and two touchdowns in the title game.
This was not a surprise performance for the two as they broke numerous records during the regular season.
Chase set SEC records for receiving yards and touchdowns with 1,780 and 20, respectively. Burrow set NCAA records for passing touchdowns and total touchdowns with 60 and 65.
He also set SEC records in completions, passing yards and completion percentage amongst others. His numbers for these records were 402 completions for 5,671 yards on a 76.3% completion percentage.
Burrow would go on to become the first overall draft pick in the 2020 NFL Draft, while Chase remained at LSU until he elected to opt out of his junior season due to the COVID-19 pandemic.
In his first season with the Bengals, Burrow played and started in 10 games before suffering an ACL and MCL tear in his left leg. He had shown some flashes of potential in his shortened seasons with the Bengals, but fans quickly became skeptical about his future in the league.
The Bengals would finish the season with a record of 4-11-1 and earned the fifth overall pick in the 2021 NFL Draft. With the fifth overall pick, the Bengals selected Chase over players such as Oregon offensive tackle Penei Sewell whom many believed would’ve been the better pick.
This 2021-2022 season for the Bengals has been one for the books and Burrow and Chase are the main catalyst for it. Burrow is in the running for Comeback Player of the Year and Ja’Marr Chase was selected to the Pro Bowl as a rookie.
They led the Bengals to a 10-7 record and the AFC North division title and defeated the Raiders, Titans and Chiefs to reach Super Bowl LVI.
Burrow completed a league best 70.4% of his passes for 4,611 yards and 34 touchdowns. He set the Bengals franchise record in passing yards this season.
Chase caught 81 passes for 1,455 yards and 13 touchdowns. His 1,455 yards set the record for the most receiving yards by a rookie in a single season.
The next great quarterback-receiver duo could be with the Burrow-Chase connection and we get to witness their talents once more this season as they try to capture a Super Bowl LVI victory.
Thomas English is a first-year majoring in broadcast journalism. To contact him, email tfe5082@psu.edu.
