You see it every Sunday. A blur of orange and black streaks past a linebacker who looks twice his size, and you’ve gotta wonder: how is that guy so small yet so impossible to tackle? If you’ve been watching the Cincinnati Bengals lately, you’ve definitely asked yourself how tall is Chase Brown. It’s one of those things where the eye test and the official roster don't always seem to match up, especially when he’s standing next to a mountain like Orlando Brown Jr.
The short answer is that Chase Brown is officially 5 feet 10 inches tall.
But if you’re a real football nerd, you know that "official" height in the NFL is kinda like a dating profile—everyone’s rounding up. When Chase showed up to the NFL Scouting Combine, the scouts broke out the real measuring sticks. He actually measured in at 5 feet 9 and 1/2 inches. That half-inch might not seem like a big deal to you or me, but in the world of professional scouting, every fraction of an inch changes how people view your "center of gravity" and "leverage."
Why His Real Height Matters on the Field
Honestly, being a bit shorter is basically a superpower for a guy like Chase Brown. Think about it. If you’re a 6’4” running back, you’re just a massive target for safeties looking to take your head off. Brown uses that 5'10" (or 5'9.5", if we're being picky) frame to hide behind his offensive linemen. By the time a defender actually sees him, he’s already hit the second level of the defense at full speed.
- Low Center of Gravity: He’s harder to knock off balance.
- Weight: He packs about 210 pounds onto that frame, which is heavy for his height.
- BMI: He has a Body Mass Index of 30.7, which basically means he's built like a human bowling ball.
It's pretty wild to see his stats from the 2025 season. He managed to put up over 1,000 rushing yards and proved that you don't need to be a giant to be a workhorse in this league. He isn't just a "change of pace" guy; he's a legitimate RB1 who can handle 20 carries a game without breaking down.
The Combine Numbers vs. The Roster
Let’s get into the weeds for a second because the NFL loves to mess with these numbers. Most Bengals programs and websites like FOX Sports or ESPN will list him at a flat 5’10”. It looks better on paper. However, the 2023 NFL Combine gave us the cold, hard data.
Here is what the scouts actually saw:
- Actual Height: 5’9 5/8"
- Weight: 209 lbs
- Arm Length: 31 inches
- Hand Size: 10 inches (Which is actually huge for his height—nearly 92nd percentile!)
Those hands are a big reason why he’s become such a reliable target for Joe Burrow in the passing game. Having 10-inch "mitts" on a 5'10" frame makes catching a 60-mph heater from Burrow a lot easier.
Comparisons to Other Backs
When people talk about Chase Brown, they often compare him to his twin brother, Sydney Brown, who plays safety for the Philadelphia Eagles. Sydney is also listed right around that 5'10" mark. It’s a family of elite athletes who aren't necessarily the tallest guys in the room but are almost certainly the strongest.
If you compare Chase to a guy like Bijan Robinson, the height difference is negligible—Bijan is only about an inch taller. But Chase actually tested as a more "explosive" athlete in several categories. He recorded a 40-inch vertical jump and a 10'7" broad jump. Basically, he can jump over you just as easily as he can run around you.
The "Short" Running Back Advantage
You’ve probably noticed that the NFL is moving away from the 6'2" "bruiser" backs of the 90s. Today's game is about lateral quickness and explosive bursts. Because Chase is 5'10", his legs are shorter, which allows for a faster "turnover" rate when he’s running. This is a big reason why he clocked a 4.43 in the 40-yard dash.
He’s basically a compact rocket.
I've seen some older college scouting reports from his time at Illinois that tried to list him at 5'11", but that was definitely some "home cooking" by the university's PR department. He’s never been 5'11". But in a sport where leverage is everything, being closer to the ground is a massive advantage in short-yardage situations. He can get underneath the pads of a defensive tackle and drive forward for that extra yard when the team needs it most.
What This Means for Your Fantasy Team or Fandom
If you’re worried that his height makes him injury-prone, the data just doesn't back that up. He’s thick. He has a 210-pound frame that absorbs contact well. In fact, many scouts prefer a back who is 5'10" and 210 lbs over a guy who is 6'1" and 210 lbs because the shorter player is more "densely" built and has less "surface area" to get hit.
Actionable Insights for Bengals Fans:
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- Check the pads: Notice how low he stays when he hits the hole; that's the 5'10" advantage in action.
- Watch the hands: Don't let the height fool you; those 10-inch hands make him one of the best receiving backs in the AFC.
- Value the "Bowling Ball" Effect: In goal-line situations, his low center of gravity makes him nearly impossible to stop if he gets a head of steam.
Next time someone tells you he’s "too small" to be a lead back, just point them to his 2025 highlight reel. Height is just a number; 4.43 speed and 40-inch verticality are the real story. Keep an eye on his snap counts as the Bengals continue to lean on his explosive, compact frame to move the chains.
Next Step: Watch a replay of the Bengals vs. Browns game from late 2025 and pay attention to how Chase disappears behind his guards before popping out for 15 yards. It's the perfect demonstration of why his specific height and build work so well in the modern NFL.