After Sunday’s 34-27 loss to the Chargers, the Bengals were once again looking for answers as the club fell to 4-7.

Head coach Zac Taylor and several players cited the need to close out games well, as six of Cincinnati’s seven losses in 2024 came on one possession.

But when receiver Ja’Marr Chase was asked how the team can finish better, he pointed to the proverbial food chain.

“How should I do it? I don’t know,” Chase said. “Ask Zac. Ask the coaches – don’t ask me. That’s not my job.”

Not his job to finish?

“I play football on the field,” Chase said. “I don’t call plays for us, you know? So I can’t really do anything.”

Asked if he believes plays are part of why Cincinnati isn’t ready, Chase said, “I don’t know.”

Regardless, Chase is having another great season. Through 11 games, he has caught 73 passes for 1,056 yards with 12 touchdowns – meaning he has now had at least 1,000 receiving yards in each of his first four seasons. He caught seven passes for 75 yards with two touchdowns on Sunday night.

But in the locker room after the loss, Chase looked and sounded like a player who would much rather win.

“Yes, in the end it doesn’t really matter how well I perform,” he said. “Having all those numbers and losing – not good.”

Taylor noted that he thinks the Bengals can still make a run to the postseason. But when Chase was asked if he thinks that’s realistic, he again had no answers.

“Honestly, I don’t know, man. I have no idea,” Chase said. “I still believe in the boys in this locker room, though. We just have to find ways to get it done.”