Bengals outlook

By: Jake Rajala

The Cincinnati Bengals were on the cusp of making the playoffs at 9-8 last season. They were 7th in scoring offense. The issue is that they are 25th in scoring defense. With that said, I’m going to take a deep dive into the Bengals case by unfolding their best and worst case in 2025.

Best

Let’s not forget: the Bengals went to the Super Bowl a few years ago against the Los Angeles Rams. They still have elite players at crucial positions, such as QB, WR, and DE. Hendrickson notched 17.5 sacks in each of the last two seasons. He’s making a crucial case for the Hall of Fame. Cincy also paid Ja’Marr Chase and Tee Higgins quite well this off-season to return. I’d love to see the Bengals first round pick Shemar Stewart be a DROY candidate this season.

NEWS: Future Hall of Famer Mike Evans says 25-year-old Ja’Marr Chase is the only wide receiver in the #NFL better than him.

“He's a guy where if you said he was better than me— I don't think anybody's better than me — but if you said him, I would understand”

High praise.

(Fox) pic.twitter.com/A4DNcrkSkh

— MLFootball (@_MLFootball) June 16, 2025

I believe their best record could be 12-5

Worst

Sure, the Bengals have brought in talent to their OL over the past few seasons. However, they still could use more freaks on their OL. They ranked 22nd in sacks allowed, which isn’t acceptable for a Super Bowl contender. Hendrickson, who led the league in pressures, has been a cream of the crop edge defender, but he could miss crucial time with a contract hold-out. The Bengals also play in an AFC North division that featured a pair of playoff teams last season in the Pittsburgh Steelers (with Aaron Rodgers) and the Baltimore Ravens. Hence, they could have a losing record in their divisional games. They went 1-3 against the Steelers and Ravens last season.

𝗥𝗘𝗣𝗢𝗥𝗧: Despite picking up contract negotiations once again a few days ago, the #Bengals and star pass rusher Trey Hendrickson remain far apart on a contract extension, per @AdamSchefter pic.twitter.com/QxUBX3igjN

— JPAFootball (@jasrifootball) June 23, 2025

I believe their worst record could be 7-10.

The Bengals are quite a rangy team. They have been at the bottom of the league before, only to shortly bounce back into a Super Bowl contender. The Bengals defense could use more talent in my opinion. I’d love to see them bring in Stephon Gilmore. Of course, Joe Burrow can put up MVP numbers. He just needs his defense to not leave him out to dry. I believe that Burrow or Ja’Marr Chase could win an OPOY or MVP award. I would also love to see Hendrickson win a DPOY award, despite him holding out.