Ja'Marr Chase and Joe Burrow have formed a friendship in Cincinnati Bengals that is ready to take on anyone even outside of the gridiron, but for the new season, the former would rather have him sit out the first week.

"I just want him a hundred percent healthy to play, I don't want him rushing nothing, I don't want people in his ear telling him to play a certain time," he told reporters.

When pressed if he was talking about pre-season or the main one, the wide receiver said he could sit out the pre-season games, too.

Burrow is currently dealing with a calf strain, and his partner in and out of the field would rather have him wait a little longer before he makes his 2023 debut.

Chase previously related his experience last year when he decided not to play on the opening week to let his hip heal even further.

"I sat out an extra game just to let my hip all the way heal up, and you don't want to cause no other problems later on in the season, and I told him as long as you're there after Week 5 and on, we're good brother."

As for how Burrow feels right now, Chase said the quarterback is in good spirits as he continues to rehab.

"He just told me he's going to see how he feels when the time comes," he said. "You know, he doesn't know when he'll be back, but he'll be back soon."

The latest on Burrow

Fans need to be more patient about Burrow.

"Joe Burrow (right calf) is still on schedule from the initial 'several weeks' estimate given from ZT last week," said Mike Petraglia of CLNS Media.

Coach Zac Taylor also said his star will be out for several weeks.