The Bengals are top-heavy at the wide receiver position, but if a couple of younger guys hit their potential in 2025, they have the deepest pass-catching group in the league. Aside from Jermaine Burton turning a corner, a healthy Charlie Jones could provide another solid multi-dimensional weapon.
A Bengals Offseason Tradition
We have a bit of an annual tradition that kicks off around this time of year. Once the first waves of free agency and the NFL Draft are in the rearview mirror, we turn our attention to identifying which Bengals players might be poised to take that all-important next step in their careers.
Spotlight Series: “Potential Bengals Breakout Players”
Here at Cincy Jungle and on our associated podcasts, we launch a recurring series each offseason titled “Potential Bengals Breakout Players.” It’s our way of forecasting which players could step into larger roles, show significant growth from the previous season, or otherwise emerge as key contributors in the upcoming year.
This isn’t just guesswork. It’s based on their likely increased responsibilities, glimpses of talent, and how they’ve been developing behind the scenes.
Introducing: “Make-or-Break Year”
Building off that tradition, we’re rolling out a new companion series: “Make-or-Break Year.” This series spotlights Bengals players who are entering pivotal stretches in their careers—those who need to prove themselves now or risk fading from the team’s long-term plans.
These are players at a crossroads. Whether it’s due to inconsistent performance, off-field concerns, or simply needing to show growth, the next few months could be career-defining.
Charlie Jones
Back in the 2023 Draft, the Cincinnati Bengals double-dipped at wide receiver. Andrei Iosivas, the team’s second receiver selected in the sixth round, has steadily shown improvement over the past two years, becoming a reliable ancillary option for Joe Burrow.
Charlie Jones, the team’s first receiver selected in the fourth round, hasn’t found the same footing as Iosivas, as injuries and a lack of a prominent role have created stumbling blocks. Jones is entering that critical third year as a pro and needs to show the team more—particularly on offense.
Jones has shown flashes as both a punt and kickoff return man, though. In 2023, he actually scored the team’s first touchdown of the year with an electric 81-yard punt return against the Baltimore Ravens.
Last year, he kickstarted the Bengals’ win over the Browns in the middle of the season with a 100-yard kickoff return. With newly amended kickoff rules for the 2025 season and his recent clearance to practice after a season-ending injury, Jones should continue to be in Darrin Simmons’ good graces.
But what can he provide on offense? With Mike Gesicki back in the fold and Iosivas’ aforementioned year-over-year improvements, can Jones find a productive niche?
Background
Jones was a “super senior” coming into the draft, showing immense versatility at both Purdue and Iowa. He earned first-team All-Big Ten honors twice (2021, 2022) and second-team All-Big Ten honors in 2020. He was also the Big Ten Return Specialist of the Year in 2021.
He seemed like a perfect fit as an ancillary weapon for Burrow, likely replacing some blend of the roles previously held by Tyler Boyd and Trenton Irwin. However, he’s logged just eight receptions in his NFL career—including only one in 2024.
When Jermaine Burton began struggling as a rookie last year, it seemed like a prime opportunity for Jones to assert himself. But injuries once again cut his season short, and he ended up on injured reserve.
Cincinnati didn’t make any splashy outside signings or draft picks at wideout this year, but they are banking on Burton to turn things around in his second season. And when Jones was out, it was Burton who took over kickoff return duties—and filled in admirably.
What Jones Needs to Prove in 2025
What’s the old adage? “Availability is the best ability”? Well, that’s where Jones needs to start if he wants to gain traction on the depth chart.
A healthy Jones provides a spark in the return game—that’s for certain. His special teams contributions, injuries notwithstanding, aren’t in question. But he needs to prove he can be a reliable slot option—one capable of occasional big plays.
While he had an opportunity for a deep touchdown reception that was narrowly missed in 2023 (when Burrow was still nursing a calf strain), Jones has averaged just 8.6 yards per reception and 0.4 catches per game over his two-year career. If he were to truly step into the Irwin role, it’s worth noting that Irwin averaged roughly 14 catches, 1.7 touchdowns, 187 yards, and 11 yards per reception from 2022–2024. These aren’t exactly unreachable marks, and Irwin was a valued complementary piece in the offense during that time.
Despite the lack of big-ticket wide receiver signings—aside from the re-signings of Ja’Marr Chase and Tee Higgins—the outlook for Jones remains positive. However, there are early signs of Burton showing maturity this spring, and with his special teams contributions (and a 26.8 yards-per-reception average as a rookie), the pressure is on Jones to stay healthy and take the next step in his professional career.
If he raises his play, Jones could become a very valuable, multi-dimensional player for the team this year.