The Cincinnati Bengals have made no secret of the plan to make Chase Brown the focal point of their rushing attack this season.
"I believe Chase Brown is a top-10 back in the league," offensive coordinator Dan Pitcher said, via 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."
A fifth-round pick in 2023, Brown burst out last season as his usage shot through the roof. He generated 990 yards and seven touchdowns on 229 rushes and added 54 catches for 360 yards, in 16 games played (sat Week 18 with an ankle injury).
This offseason, the Bengals have reimagined their running game around Brown, tailoring the scheme to amplify what the third-year back does best.
"At the end of the conversation, it wasn't about what we think looks good on the board," running backs coach Justin Hill said. "(It was) what is Chase good at? How can we showcase his tools in the run game and in the pass game? Where we have in the run game right now is pretty true to who we think Chase is and what he can be."
In his breakout campaign, Brown finished second on the Bengals with 1,350 scrimmage yards and 11 scrimmage TDs, behind only Ja'Marr Chase.
The running back really hit his stride down the stretch when the Bengals used him as the primary backfield weapon. From Weeks 9-17, Brown generated 23.6 touches per game, second in the NFL, and 116.3 scrimmage yards per game, fourth in the NFL, per NFL Research.
"Sometimes, I think about the stretch I've had and the improvements that I've made," Brown said. "I try to just stay in the moment. As cliché as it sounds. As much as I am thinking ahead sometimes, I'm really trying to just stay in the moment and focus on what plays I can make right now. The improvements I can make at practice. Learning opportunities I can take away and learn from right now, so when Week 1 comes, we're full speed."
The release of Zack Moss earlier this offseason made Brown the clear lead back. Samaje Perine returns but profiles more as a trusty backup used in case of injury. Sixth-round rookie Tahj Brooks could be a wild card if he impresses in the final two preseason games (earned 2.6 YPC on 10 totes last week).
As more teams use a committee approach to the backfield, Brown should see a heavier rep load than most. In an offense designed around the passing attack, the RB's dual-threat ability is a perfect fit in the Joe Burrow-led offense.
