Ja’Marr Chase Steals the Show-and Nearly the Spotlight for the Wrong Reason-at the Pro Bowl
The Pro Bowl may be a lighter, more relaxed affair than your typical NFL Sunday, but leave it to Ja’Marr Chase to remind everyone that even in an exhibition, he’s capable of delivering fireworks-and a few heart palpitations for Bengals fans.
Cincinnati was well represented at this year’s Pro Bowl, with Joe Burrow, Joe Flacco, Tee Higgins, and Chase all taking part. But it was Chase, naturally, who turned a casual showcase into a moment of jaw-dropping athleticism and near-disaster.
Chase’s Pick-Six-Yes, On Defense
Late in the first quarter, Chase made what might be the most unexpected play of the Pro Bowl: he intercepted a pass from Lions quarterback Jared Goff-while playing defense-and took it all the way back for a touchdown. It was the kind of one-handed snag that’s become his trademark, only this time it came with a twist-literally.
Instead of cruising into the end zone with a signature Griddy, Chase stopped just shy of the goal line, turned, and launched into a backflip with a mid-air rotation. The crowd loved it.
His teammates went nuts. Bengals fans?
They probably stopped breathing for a second.
Because Chase didn’t exactly stick the landing.
He came down awkwardly, landing on his backside rather than his feet. It was the kind of moment that, in real time, looked like it could’ve gone very wrong. Thankfully, after a brief beat, Chase popped up, sprinted to celebrate with his teammates, and the collective exhale from Who Dey Nation was almost audible.
A Flashback Bengals Fans Didn’t Need
That moment-Chase, airborne in celebration, then crashing to the turf-sparked some uncomfortable memories for longtime Bengals fans. It’s hard not to think back to Tyler Eifert, the supremely talented tight end whose career was derailed in part by a Pro Bowl injury.
Eifert, nicknamed “The Eifert Tower,” had a breakout year in 2015 and earned a Pro Bowl nod. But during the 2016 game, he suffered an injury that would linger and reshape his career. After that, Eifert made it clear: no more Pro Bowls.
He would go on to play in just 14 games over the next three seasons, battling a series of injuries. While he did manage to finish strong with full seasons in 2019 and 2020, the Pro Bowl injury became a cautionary tale about the risks of an event that’s supposed to be all fun and no harm.
The Fine Line Between Fun and Risk
The NFL has made strides in dialing back the intensity of the Pro Bowl to reduce injury risk. Gone are the days of bone-crunching hits like Sean Taylor’s infamous punter takedown. The current format is more about entertainment than competition.
But when players decide to crank up the theatrics-like Chase’s mid-air rotation-it introduces a different kind of risk. And while no one wants to be the fun police, it’s fair for fans to feel a jolt of anxiety when a franchise cornerstone is flipping through the air in a glorified exhibition.
That said, Chase’s pick-six was a reminder of just how absurdly talented he is. Even out of position, even in a game that doesn't count, he’s capable of making plays that leave jaws on the floor. It’s the kind of versatility and instinct that makes him one of the most electrifying players in the league.
So, do the Bengals need to draft another safety? Probably not. Not when No. 1 can snag picks like that.
But maybe next time, let’s skip the backflip.