Cincinnati Bengals running back Chase Brown capped off his first season playing all 17 games by crossing 1,000 rushing yards for the first time in his career as well. Brown carried the ball 13 times for 72 yards during Sunday’s 20-18 loss to the Cleveland Browns, giving him a grand total of 1,019 yards for the 2025 campaign. It also came after he missed two practices with an illness.

It wasn’t his most prolific day on the ground, but crossing the threshold was a milestone on its own, and redemption for what happened just over a year ago.

Chase Brown crosses the finish line he couldn’t get to last year

Brown’s breakout season in 2024 saw him post 990 yards in 16 games, but an ankle sprain sidelined him for Week 18 of that year, and he fell a mere 30 feet short from becoming the 12th RB in Bengals history to join the 1,000-yard club.

1,000 yards isn’t enough to take home accolades or even stand out in the AFC North most of the time, but for a starting tailback on the back-half of a rookie contract, it’s far from nothing in terms of reaching a checkpoint.

Brown wasted no time in achieving that goal after the opportunity was taken from him 12 months ago. Compared to last year, he only needed three more carries to get 29 additional yards, and while his rushing touchdown total dropped from seven to six, he was more involved in the passing game with 15 more receptions, 77 more receiving yards, and one more receiving touchdown.

All of it is not lost on his head coach.

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Zac Taylor notes Brown’s progress after Year 3

Brown needed 53 yards in the game to reach 1,000, but it would’ve been unlikely for Cincinnati to stay in the game if Brown fell substantially below that yardage by the end of the day. Feeding Brown was a focal point regardless of how far away 1,000 was, or if it had already been surpassed.

He’s gone from a fifth-round NFL Draft pick to a key starter within three years. The work he’s put in, according to HC Zac Taylor, reflects that progress.

“I thought he had an outstanding season and very dependable for us,” Taylor said. “He has really worked hard to be the player that he is, and so for the production to match that, I’m really proud of Chase.”

Taylor also noted the Bengals’ offensive line and RB coach Justin Hill deserve credit for Chase’s milestone. Now exiting his seventh year in Cincinnati, Taylor recently noted his o-line has been the best he’s seen in his time on the job.

The Bengals live and die by their passing game led by Joe Burrow. They know they need to fill glaring holes on their defense if they want to return to the playoffs.

Brown being the guy at RB, at least for another year, should also be an established fact entering a crucial 2026 offseason. He should get every chance to make it two 1,000-yard seasons next season.

Related: Bengals officially learn a major part of yet another important offseason for Cincinnati

This story was originally published by A to Z Sports on Jan 5, 2026, where it first appeared in the NFL section. Add A to Z Sports as a Preferred Source by clicking here.