After the Bengals missed the 2024 playoffs, they gave into Joe Burrow‘s push to extend Tee Higgins. While Cincinnati ensured its top-end wide receiver duo would remain intact, the team drifted further off the contender radar in 2025. Another Burrow injury cost Cincinnati, which also played much of the season without Trey Hendrickson. Burrow stumped for a Hendrickson deal as well, but the Bengals did not budge there, setting up the four-time Pro Bowler to depart.
Regardless of the team’s Higgins-over-Hendrickson choice, it sits at a crossroads. The Bengals employ Burrow in his prime yet have missed three straight playoff brackets. This has caused some rumblings related to the quarterback’s happiness in Cincy. Although Burrow is widely expected to be back for a seventh season in Cincinnati, the clock is ticking on a regime that not too long ago was sitting pretty. This Bengals offseason stands to be pivotal as the organization looks to move back on track.
Coaching/front office moves:
- Retained Zac Taylor, de facto GM Duke Tobin, DC Al Golden
- Offensive coordinator Dan Pitcher interviewed for Browns’ HC job, Buccaneers’ OC post
The Higgins swerve notwithstanding, the Bengals are not known to cave into player or fan pressure. Seeing recent trade requests rescinded serves as a reminder there. But unrest has certainly developed over the past three years. Since the Bengals ventured to the 2022 AFC championship game — the only instance of back-to-back AFC title game appearances in franchise history — they have missed the postseason with and without Burrow being healthy. While the team saw Burrow setbacks derail matters in 2023 and ’25, its 2024 edition finishing 9-8 proved damning for Taylor’s operation. Cincinnati’s defense was somehow worse in 2025.
