CINCINNATI, OHIO - SEPTEMBER 12: Joe Burrow #9 of the Cincinnati Bengals jogs off the field after beating the Minnesota Vikings 27-24 in overtime of the Cincinnati Bengals against the Minnesota Vikings at Paul Brown Stadium on September 12, 2021 in Cincinnati, Ohio. (Photo by Andy Lyons/Getty Images)
The Cincinnati Bengals had one of the most up-and-down seasons, going 9-8 in 2024. The team missed the playoffs for back-to-back seasons for the first time since 2020. Despite missing the playoffs, the Bengals had one of the best offensive seasons in NFL history, with quarterback Joe Burrow leading the NFL in passing yards with 4,918 and 43 passing touchdowns.
All-Pro wide receiver Jamar Chase also had a historical season, becoming the fifth player in NFL history to lead the league in catches, touchdowns and yards as a receiver. While the offense was historic, the defense struggled heavily, ranking 25th in yards allowed per game, with an average of 348.3. The Bengals ended their season on a five-game winning streak but missed the playoffs due to a 4-8 record to start the season.
Cincinnati came into the offseason with huge question marks surrounding key players like Ja’Marr Chase, Trey Hendrickson and Tee Higgins. The team made huge moves, resigning both star wide receivers Chase and Higgins to four-year extensions. Higgins’ extension was worth $115 million, and the Bengals made Chase the highest-paid wide receiver in the league with a $161 million contract. The Bengals also re-signed other key players like defensive tackle BJ Hill, tight end Mike Gesicki and offensive tackle Cody Ford.
The most significant question mark left for the Bengals is whether or not All-Pro defensive end Hendrickson will be traded or get a new contract with the team. Hendrickson led the league with 17.5 sacks last season and is seeking a new contract with the Bengals after requesting a trade during the offseason. His future remains unclear, as there has been a lack of communication between the team and him regarding an extension.
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The Bengals also brought in new faces, including middle linebacker and Super Bowl champion Oren Burks, who was a key part of the Eagles’ Super Bowl run from last season as well as former Packer defensive tackle TJ Slaton and running back Samaje Perine, who are returning to the team after two seasons with the Chiefs and Broncos. The only notable loss this offseason was offensive tackle Trent Brown, who only started three games before suffering a torn patellar tendon, which ended his season.
Cincinnati went defense in the first two rounds of the draft to help improve their unit from last season, selecting Texas A&M defensive end Shemar Stewart in the first round and linebacker Demetrius Knight from South Carolina in the second. Both players will need to add to a struggling defense if the Bengals hope to return to the playoffs for the first time since 2022.
With the 14th most demanding schedule, according to Fox Sports, the Bengals will need their defense to step up to return to the playoffs in 2025. The Bengals have been notorious for starting the season slowly over the last few seasons. Still, they will have a relatively easy first three weeks against the Browns, Jaguars and Vikings with an unproven quarterback in JJ McCarthy. The Bengals’ biggest games will come against the Lions in week five, the Packers in week six, and the Bills in week 14.
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Playing in the AFC North is no easy task, as teams must face the Ravens, Steelers and Browns twice throughout the year. If the Bengals hope to get back to the Super Bowl after making it in 2022, it will require another MVP-level season from Burrow and a much-improved defensive season, hopefully with Hendrickson back on the team.
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The Bengals open the season with +2000 odds of winning the Super Bowl and a +950 to win the AFC North. They also open up the season with -140 odds to win their first game vs the Cleveland Browns and are favored in 10 of their games to start the season. The Bengals will be favorites to make the playoffs after missing them last season after a disappointing end to the season last year.
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