The Cincinnati Bengals had nothing to play for in the regular season finale against the Cleveland Browns, but that didn't stop Chase Brown from making Canadian history.
The London, Ont. running back rushed 13 times for 72 yards and added four catches for 18 yards, totaling 90 yards in the 20-18 loss. That performance gave him 1,456 yards on the season, breaking Reuben Mays' record for most single-season scrimmage yards by a Canadian in the NFL.
“I think he's had an outstanding season and he's been very reliable for us. He's really worked hard to become the player he is, and so I'm really proud of Chase for his performance,” Bengals head coach Zac Taylor said. “These milestones and achievements are bittersweet when they happen like this (in a loss). But at the same time, when a player puts a lot into his work, his skill and his career, you're happy to see him reach those milestones that will stay with him forever.”
Mayes set the previous record of 1,449 yards exactly 40 years ago, in his rookie year with the New Orleans Saints in 1986. It was the first time a player from north of the border had ever crossed the 1,000-yard threshold on the ground. Brown also accomplished the feat on his first run of the second inning Sunday, joining Mays and Chuba Hubbard as the only players in that exclusive club.
In addition to his yardage record, Brown tied the Canadian NFL single-season touchdown mark when he scored his 11th of the year on a four-yard reception in the first quarter. It's been done four times before: Nate Burleson in 2007, Chase Claypool in 2021, Hubbard in 2024 and Brown himself last season.
The 25-year-old already has two of the best seasons by a Canadian in league history in just his third year with the Bengals. The former fifth-round pick from the University of Illinois has appeared in 45 career games, rushing for 505 times for 2,188 yards and 13 touchdowns, along with 137 receptions for 953 yards and 10 major hits through the air.
Brown has one more year remaining on his contract with Cincinnati and will make more than $4.1 million before being eligible to test free agency in 2027. The Bengals failed to qualify for the NFL playoffs this year, finishing 6-11.
