Why the Bengals are Betting Big on Chase Brown in 2025
When the Cincinnati Bengals kick off their 2025 season, there will be no doubt who’s leading the backfield. Third-year running back Chase Brown has gone from a promising backup to a true centerpiece of the Bengals' rushing attack, and the team isn’t shy about it.
“ I believe Chase Brown is a top 10 back in the league,” Offensive coordinator Dan Pitcher told the Associated Press. “ Certainly you don’t want to burn the guy out. You also want to make sure your most explosive players are on the field and ready to touch the ball as many times as possible.”
That mindset is why the Bengals are reshaping the run game around Chase Brown. All offseason, the coaches kept coming back to one question: What does Chase do best? According to running backs coach Justin Hill, the new approach is “pretty true to who we think Chase is and what he can be.”
From Backup to Breakout Candidate
A fifth-round pick in 2023, Brown entered last season as a backup to Zack Moss. But from weeks 9 to 17, he ranked 5th in the NFL in yards from scrimmage and 3rd in touches per Pro Football Reference. He finished the 2024 season with 1,350 total yards, 990 rushing and 360 receiving, and seven touchdowns, while catching 54 passes, up from just 14 as a rookie.
Even a late-season ankle injury that kept him out of week 18 didn’t slow down his momentum. This preseason, Brown has already looked sharp, recording 51 yards on just eight touches against Philadelphia.
Built for the Bengals Offense
Cincinnati’s belief in Brown isn’t just because of what he’s already produced, but because he’s an excellent fit for the offense they want to run. His vision, balance, and acceleration make him dangerous between the tackles and in space. As safety Geno Stone put it, “When he hits the hole and gets through, he’s gone.”
The Bengals' new run scheme should also help. With rookie Dylan Fairchild and veteran Lucas Patrick competing for guard spots, and new offensive line coach Scott Peters bringing in a fresh approach, the blocking in front of Brown is expected to see improvements. Even if the changes take time to click, Brown's workload is secure. With mainly Samaje Perine behind him, he’s set to get plenty of touches.
A Season of Opportunity
NFL analyst Moe Moton recently listed Chase Brown among the top five running backs most likely to break out in 2025, per Bleacher Report. If he stays healthy, reaching 1,100 rushing yards seems well within reach, and the ceiling could be even higher.
Brown is keeping his focus grounded. “ Sometimes, I think about the stretch I’ve had and the improvements that I’ve made,” he said. “ I’m really trying to just stay in the moment, so when week 1 comes, we’re full speed.”
Why Chase Brown Matters
The Bengals haven’t centered their offense around one running back since Joe Mixon’s prime years. With Brown, they’ve found a versatile, dual-threat weapon who can ease the load on Joe Burrow and make defenses pay attention to the run again.
If the new scheme comes together as planned, the NFL could be getting its first real look at Cincinnati’s next breakout star, one handoff at a time.