It was eventful first day during the Cincinnati Bengals training camp.
Not only did pass rusher Shemar Stewart get carted off with a scary leg injury, but a wild brawl broke out and at the center of it was star wide receiver Ja’Marr Chase.
As captured by WLWT 5, the scrum broke out after Chase was jawing back and forth with a couple of defensive players. The clip shows Chase and veteran corner Jalen Davis going facemask to facemask, and an assistant coach can be seen jumping in between them to try to diffuse the situation and separate them. WLWT adds that Chase ripped off and tossed D.J. Turner II’s helmet.Â
Chase is probably trying to light a fire under one of the worst defensive units over the last couple of seasons. While the Joe Burrow and Ja’Marr Chase-led offense was routinely one of the best in the league, the defense ranked in the bottom five in most meaningful categories.
The Bengals did, however, make some big investments to fix their defense, including trading for star defensive tackle Dexter Lawrence, while also signing edge rusher Boye Mafe and defensive tackle Jonathan Allen in free agency, along with safeties Bryan Cook and Kyle Dugger.Â
The Bengals open the 2026 season on Sept. 13 at home against the Tampa Bay Buccaneers.
