Ja'Marr Chase continued his historic rookie season Sunday, passing Justin Jefferson for the most receiving yards by a rookie in the Super Bowl era. Chase finished with 11 catches for 266 yards and three touchdowns in the Cincinnati Bengals' thrilling 34-31 victory over the Kansas City Chiefs -- passing Jefferson's record of 1,400 yards.
Chase has 1,429 yards on the season, the most by any rookie in the Super Bowl era. Bill Groman holds the record with 1,473 yards, reaching that number in the AFL with the Houston Oilers in 1960. Chase just needs 45 yards to pass Groman for the most receiving yards in NFL history by a rookie.
The 266 yards by Chase are the most for any rookie in a game in NFL history, topping Jerry Butler's 255 set in 1979. That also is the most in a game by any player in Bengals history. Chase's three receiving touchdowns give him 13 on the year, tied with John Jefferson for the second most by a rookie in the Super Bowl era. Only Randy Moss (17 touchdowns in 1998) has more by a rookie.
Chase also leads the NFL with five catches for 50-plus yards this season, a huge factor in the Bengals clinching the AFC North title. The Bengals rookie has continued to showcase he's one of the best in the game, yet has played just 16 games in his career.
Jefferson, who was Chase's teammate at LSU, congratulated Chase on breaking his record.
Chase needs just 12 yards to break Chad Johnson's single-season franchise record of 1,440 receiving yards (2007), just another milestone to reach in what is one of the greatest first years for a wide receiver in league history.