Ja'Marr Chase Trains with Ravens Star Zay Flowers in Florida
Ja'Marr Chase was spotted on July 7, 2026, training side-by-side with Baltimore Ravens wideout Zay Flowers at Goldfeet’s Fort Lauderdale facility, a rare off-season meetup of two AFC North rivals.
Why did the Bengals’ star join a Ravens receiver?
Both players are in the final stretch of their contracts and looking to lock down elite-level production. Chase, coming off a 1,312-yard, 10-touchdown 2025 campaign, used the session to fine-tune route precision that has made him a perennial Pro Bowl candidate. Flowers, entering his fourth year, hoped the competitive spark would push his numbers beyond the 1,200-yard mark he posted last season.
Who else was on the training block?
The Goldfeet roster that day read like a who’s-who of speedsters: Denver’s Jaylen Waddle, who posted a 9.84-second 40-yard dash in 2025, and several unnamed rookie receivers. The mix of veteran talent and hungry newcomers created a high-intensity environment, forcing each participant to elevate his footwork and hand-eye coordination.
What does this mean for the Bengals-Ravens rivalry?
Seeing Chase and Flowers practice together blurs the usual divisional tension, but the underlying competition remains. Both aim to be the primary target for their quarterbacks-Joe Burrow and Lamar Jackson-so any edge gained here could translate into tighter games when the teams meet later in the season. The Bengals will likely lean on Chase’s deep-ball threat, while the Ravens hope Flowers can match that explosiveness.
How might this affect future contracts?
Spotrac projects Chase could command a new three-year, $115 million extension if he continues his upward trajectory. For Flowers, the Ravens exercised his fifth-year option and analysts now peg a potential three-year, $93 million deal if he breaks the WR1 ceiling. Training with elite peers adds a tangible data point for agents negotiating those figures.
What’s next for the players?
Both athletes return to team-controlled workouts next week, but the Goldfeet experience will likely influence their offseason routines. Expect Chase to incorporate more press-route drills, while Flowers may add deeper route concepts after observing Chase’s route tree. Their progress will be a storyline to watch as the AFC North kickoff approaches.
How does this session fit into the broader NFL offseason?
Off-season training sites like Goldfeet have become hotbeds for cross-team collaboration, offering players a chance to benchmark against the league’s best. The July 7 gathering underscores a growing trend: top receivers seeking marginal gains outside their own coaching staffs. As more athletes converge at these elite facilities, the overall talent pool in the NFL could see a noticeable uptick in skill level by the start of the 2026 season.