The Cincinnati Bengals have made headlines this offseason for multiple reasons. Cincinnati was praised for signing star receivers Ja’Marr Chase and Tee Higgins. Trouble has brewed for the franchise because of the contract disputes with star pass-rusher Trey Hendrickson and rookie Shemar Stewart.

Cincinnati is trying to wash away a failed 2024 season. The Bengals finished 9-8, missing the playoffs for the second straight season, and wasted a great season from Joe Burrow.

The Cincinnati Bengals: A Rollercoaster

Owner Mike Browns’ franchise has experienced a rollercoaster of emotions and perception over the last four seasons. Long-time signal caller Andy Dalton left town after providing stability at the quarterback position. Burrow was drafted and suffered a terrible ACL injury, then the Bengals made the Super Bowl during the 2021 season, and made an appearance in the AFC Championship Game the following season.

Simply put, the franchise has seen its share of ups and downs. Despite the success in 2021 and 2022, Brown’s team hasn’t lived up to lofty expectations.

Hendrickson and Stewart’s situations have made things worse. The franchise is known for being cheap and operating non-traditionally. Cincinnati has no interest in rewarding Hendrickson after his incredible 2024 campaign, where he recorded 17.5 sacks.

Stewart is a rookie who needs to make an impact this season, as the Bengals’ defense was awful last season. It makes no sense for him not to have participated in rookie minicamp and OTAs.

Not As Good As You Thought

Some sports fans and analysts believe the Bengals have Super Bowl potential and are one of the better teams in the NFL. Burrow is an elite quarterback, Higgins and Chase are one of the better wide receiver duos, and the franchise has played in a Super Bowl.

People need to pump the brakes on the Bengals and face reality. Cincinnati has always had good players on both sides of the ball. Remember Carson Palmer, Geno Atkins, AJ Green, Joe Mixon, and Jessie Bates.

The organization has underachieved for seasons and has been average at best. Making the Super Bowl was great, but the team lost a close game, where Matthew Stafford threw a game-winning touchdown after losing Odell Beckham Jr. The Rams’ offense stalled for much of the second half, and Cincinnati blew their opportunity to hoist a Lombardi trophy.

Then there was the whole “Burrowhead” deal leading up to the 2022-23 AFC Championship game. Cincinnati failed to defeat Patrick Mahomes, who was compromised by a bad ankle. Additionally, the football team had an advantage on offense with better skill players and a strong defense.

Two strong seasons don’t make up for years of mediocrity and wasted opportunities.

The Bengals are a good, not great, team at this point. Just look at the past two seasons and the disappointment they have endured. Don’t forget the 10-16 playoff record.

A Change In Philosophy

The NFL is a tough league, and it’s hard to win. Cincinnati has witnessed the challenges of getting back to the playoffs and playing in meaningful games.

Cincinnati possesses a strong offense capable of scoring a thousand points. Burrrow could have won MVP last season, and Chase had a fantastic 2024 campaign, winning the Triple Crown.

Despite these advantages, the organization needs to change its philosophy. Brown needs to value defense and evolve in this current era of the NFL. Evolution is necessary for improvement, and the Bengals haven’t adopted that philosophy.

Look at the three-time Super Bowl champion Kansas City Chiefs. Brett Veach evolved his team from an offensive fireworks show to a grounded team that plays winning football on both sides of the ball.

End Of My Cincinnati Bengals Rant

Don’t get me wrong, I’m not trying to hate on the Bengals. I like Burrow, Chase, and Higgins. I just think the team isn’t as good as advertised, and their Super Bowl run has clouded the perception of them.

Cincinnati needs to make some changes moving forward to succeed. One of the most important changes is getting better on defense to help support Burrow’s offense. The 2025 season will show the Bengals’ true colors. If you’re interested in more Bengals content, check out this article from Andrew Fischer.