Chase Brown

Career StatsD+

Year	Team	GP	Yards	TD	YPC
Career		45	2,188	13	4.3
2025		17	1,019	6	4.4
2024		16	990	7	4.3
2023		12

Season	Team	GP	Att	Yds	TD	YPC	Grade
2025		17	—	1019	6	4.4	C- C- Below average
2024		16	—	990	7	4.3	C+ C+ Top 48% — above average
2023		12	—	179	0	4.1	F F Bottom 5%

Grades reflect the player's performance in each season. Header grade shows the current season.

Current Contract

Contract Value Index (CVI)

The Bengals locked up Chase Brown at an absolute steal, securing their emerging backfield contributor for just $1.0M AAV over four years — a deal that earns an A CVI grade. While Brown currently profiles as a rotational player, this contract represents exceptional value for a running back who's shown flashes of capability in Cincinnati's system. At his age and development stage, Brown has significant upside to grow into a more prominent role, making this minimal financial commitment a shrewd bet on his trajectory. The contract structure heavily favors the team with only $0.3M guaranteed, meaning the Bengals can pivot without meaningful dead money if things don't pan out. This is exactly the type of low-risk, high-reward deal that championship teams execute — Cincinnati gets cost certainty on a promising young back while maintaining maximum roster flexibility. Even if Brown never develops beyond his current rotational role, this price point makes him one of the best value contracts in the league at the position.

Contracts in the Same Value Band

Other same-position deals the Contract Value Index also places in the A band — a quick read on where Chase's contract sits relative to comparable money.

Performance Analysis

Chase Brown is a 26-year-old third-year back carving out a complementary role in Cincinnati's backfield, earning a D+ overall grade this season. His trajectory — an F in 2023, a C+ in 2024, and a C- in 2025 — reflects a player still finding consistency at the NFL level. He profiles as a developmental piece rather than a true workhorse, though his age and upside keep the ceiling conversation alive. Brown's current 4.39 yards per carry sits above the NFL average of 4.10, suggesting legitimate burst and vision between the tackles. His 59.9 rushing yards per game also clears the league average of 55.0, meaning he's quietly productive when given the opportunity. The concern is scoring efficiency — his 0.35 rush touchdowns per game matches the NFL average exactly, but elite backs like Derrick Henry post closer to 0.65, exposing a red-zone ceiling that needs to grow. Brown's profile resembles an early-career Damien Harris — serviceable production with flashes of upside but not yet a difference-maker in critical moments. If he can improve goal-line effectiveness and sustain the efficiency gains shown in 2024, a return to C+ or better is realistic. Watch his snap share and target usage in 2026 as the clearest indicators of whether Cincinnati views him as a long-term starter.

How Chase Compares at the Position

Chase Brown ranks 28th of 181 graded running backs by performance. That slots Chase between Treveyon Henderson (D+) just ahead and Ashton Jeanty (D+) just behind.

Current Sentiment

Chase Brown carries a B- sentiment grade heading into 2026, reflecting a nuanced public perception that balances organizational confidence with emerging concerns about his temperament and ceiling. The Bengals' pursuit of an extension demonstrates clear faith in Brown's dual-threat capabilities after three productive seasons, with his 137 career receptions establishing him as a reliable complementary weapon in Cincinnati's offensive system. However, head coach Zac Taylor's public criticism of Brown's emotional response following a recent loss has introduced questions about his professionalism and locker room presence that weren't previously part of the narrative. Media coverage frames potential contract negotiations as prudent roster management rather than recognition of elite talent, suggesting Brown has plateaued as an above-average contributor rather than ascending to franchise-caliber status. The sentiment reflects cautious optimism tempered by realistic expectations—Brown appears positioned for a solid starter-level extension, but his public perception lacks the upside narrative typically associated with ascending stars at the running back position.