In Garrett’s mind, his peers don’t recognize the talent Cleveland has added since he arrived in 2017. They don’t gear up for the Browns like they do the Steelers, even though Pittsburgh has fewer playoff wins than Cleveland since 2017. Heck, Cleveland can’t even garner respect from the Bengals after beating them repeatedly.
Nope. Chase wasn’t in the mood to give credit. The Browns’ secondary didn’t outplay Cincinnati’s receivers, and their pass rush didn’t play a role in Burrow throwing for a career-low 82 yards. “We just didn’t take advantage of the opportunities that they gave us,” Chase said. Because the more Chase talks, the clearer it becomes that the Browns -- er, Elves -- bother him. And his frustration after Sunday’s game served as the latest warning to any other trash talkers who might underestimate a Cleveland franchise that’s turning the corner.
If that sounds harsh, don’t worry. Chase doesn’t care what Cleveland thinks, says or calls itself. He’s going to keep talking and dancing no matter how well the Browns blanket him in coverage or beat his team. He doesn’t regret calling them the wrong name; he just regrets losing to those darn elves. And he clearly hasn’t heeded veteran teammate Tyler Boyd’s advice when it comes to trash talk.