Chase Brown’s uniquely special accomplishment would not have been possible without Bengals having faith in his ascension

 Posted January 17, 2026×

The Cincinnati Bengals weren’t fully bought in on Chase Brown entering the 2024 season. Zack Moss was signed to start, and Brown was supposed to complement the veteran tailback throughout his second season.

Plans changed dramatically when Moss was forced to miss the final nine games with a neck injury. Brown was officially promoted to lead RB, and ripped off seven games with at least 100 scrimmage yards.

It was a promising glimpse of what was possible with Brown as RB1, but that role wasn’t guaranteed to be his going forward. Cincinnati could’ve brought in another vet like Moss to handle the lion’s share of touches, and keep Brown, a fifth-round pick from the 2023 NFL Draft, as the secondary option.

The Bengals instead banked on Brown ascending into their top RB.

They signed Samaje Perine to handle pass protection occasionally on third downs and to carry the ball every so often, but the starter and feature player in the backfield going forward would be Brown.

Cincinnati made the right call, and Brown made NFL history unique to him specifically.

Chase Brown recognized for setting new Canadian NFL record

Brown started all 17 games for the first time in his three-year career, and he touched the ball a total of 301 times. Those touches amounted to 1,456 yards from scrimmage, which ranked 11th in the NFL this year, but topped his 2024 total by 106 yards.

It also set a national record, a Canadian national record.

Brown, who was born in London, Ontario, Canada, now holds the single-season record for most yards from scrimmage for a Canadian-born player.

History made, WHO DEH! pic.twitter.com/fIbzUEGRMs

— Cincinnati Bengals (@Bengals) January 12, 2026

Brown also accomplished this feat the first year Cincinnati had international marketing rights to Canada. His home country was able to see the best year of his young career the whole way.

His best season so far, at least the Bengals hope.

Cincinnati put its faith in Brown growing into the lead back, and his 2025 output was more than enough to keep the faith. The 25-year old will maintain his starting status and may even sign a nice extension later in the summer.

The Bengals signed Joe Mixon to a four-year, $48 million extension following his second year as the primary RB in 2020. Brown may be more affordable since he’ll be two years older with one fewer year as the full-time starter.

New contract or not, he’s got a new bar to clear in 2026, and will have the backing of his team to clear it.