The Bengals are reeling from the loss of quarterback Joe Burrow to turf toe. Head coach Zac Taylor announced that Burrow will undergo surgery, sidelining him for nearly three months. While this is a major blow for the team, ex-Cowboys WR Michael Irvin believes it could also be an opportunity for wide receiver Ja’Marr Chase to step up and make an impact.

The former NFL player wants the WR to show his elite performance even if he’s playing with a backup quarterback, Jake Browning, instead of the starter. “Now Jamar Chase has to go do a Justin Jefferson and bring up this Jake Browning to make sure he can do, he can show people okay I can be great even without my quarterback, like Justin Jefferson, or I will say that he’ll take me over Justin Jefferson when we start talking about who’s best receiver in this world, who’s best receiver in the league,” Irvin said on his YouTube channel. A simple message to Chase on how he should up his game in the absence of Burrow.

“If I can put up great numbers just like he has with this backup quarterback, cuz remember that’s what Sam Darnold was until Justin Jefferson put his hands on,” he added. The sports commentator even went on to give an example of wide receiver Justin Jefferson and his performance with quarterback Sam Darnold last season.

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After bouncing around as a backup in the 49ers and struggling with the Jets and Panthers, Darnold came to Minnesota on a one-year deal for one real shot at proving he belongs as a starter. With Jefferson in the lineup, who has a knack for making any quarterback look better, there was hope Darnold could finally turn things around.

With Sam Darnold under center, Justin Jefferson posted 1,533 receiving yards and eclipsed 100 receptions for the third time in his five-year career in 2024. The All-Pro receiver also matched his career-high with 10 touchdown catches, showcasing his chemistry with the veteran quarterback.

The QB racked up 4,319 yards and 35 touchdowns across 14 games. While securing his first Pro Bowl nod, Darnold also made it to the NFL Top 100 Players of 2025 at No. 72. This was his first mention. So, his time with the Vikings was a game-changer. Later in March, he signed a deal with the Seattle Seahawks.

It seems that Irvin hopes for a similar impact from Chase. Perhaps, he could take a lesson when he faces his former LSU teammate in Week 3. Both are two of the NFL’s top receivers, with Chase leading the league last season with 1,708 receiving yards, while Jefferson ranked second with 1,533 last season. There’s both competition and friendship between the two.

“It’s always extra when you have a player like that that’s top in the league just as well as I am,” Jefferson said. “Of course, that competitive aspect is there, but at the end of the day, it’s about our team and it’s about winning.” So, while the two will compete against each other, the two former teammates will have to chance to learn from each other as well. Chase, on the other hand, will have plenty of time to make an impression before Burrow returns.

Do the Bengals have any hope without Burrow

The Bengals aren’t closing the door on Burrow’s 2025 season. Coach Taylor has faith in the QB. He believes that there’s still a chance he could return later this year despite the severity of the injury. Even Matthew Stafford chimed in to comment on Burrow’s injury. He was officially placed on injured reserve after the game, requiring him to miss at least four games. “At least the next four weeks,” Taylor said. “That’s the best I can give you.”

As for his return, it will depend on how fast Burrow can recover after the injury.

Now, not just Chase but Browning will also have an opportunity to show his potential in Burrow’s absence. The 28-year-old will start this week against the team that he knows well from his early NFL days. Browning entered the league as an undrafted free agent in 2019 and spent two years on Minnesota’s practice squad before joining Cincinnati.

Browning has already faced his former team once, leading the Bengals to a victory in 2023. After that game, he made headlines by saying the Vikings “should have never f—ing cut me.” This time, Browning said he’s moved past that moment and is focused strictly on preparation. “I think at some point you gotta move on,” Browning shared. “And I feel as though I have moved on from that.”

So, this will be a crucial time for the backup quarterback, too