How do the Bengals attack the rest of the offseason?
By Andy Davies
The Cincinnati Bengals announced the news that all of their fanbase were waiting for, that wide receivers Ja’Marr Chase and Tee Higgins are staying.
Signing four-year deals for $161 million and $125 million respectively, this shows a signal of intent from the front office. Quarterback Joe Burrow, who was an MVP nominee for the 2024 season, has got his wish after publicly stating his desire for them to sign new deals.
However, this is just one side of the ball, a unit that saw an offensive line allow Burrow to be sacked 48 times in 2025, the joint fourth most in the NFL. A poor offensive line does not win you Super Bowls, and this has been an Achilles heel for the franchise for a long time, dating as far back as Carson Palmer’s time in Ohio.
The future of defensive end Trey Hendrickson is also up in the air, with the two parties yet to reach an agreement on a new deal. There has been an air of purpose for this team, but they cannot expect to compete at the top when their offensive line and defense underperforms. Ranked 21st in pass defense in 2024 and with only seven teams allowing more points, this is a clear problem area, one that saw long time defensive coordinator Lou Anarumo lose his job.
So how do the Bengals attack this?
The Bengals finally fixing the offensive line?
This has been the dynamic for many years in Cincinnati. It is surely now the time for this to be addressed.
The main issue for the Bengals is that the majority of Free Agent offensive lineman have already been snapped up. Despite his struggles for the Cleveland Browns, Jedrick Wills Jr could be a great option. He would not demand too much salary and with Orlando Brown Jr at left tackle, a shift to right tackle could be the best thing for Wills’ career having played there for Alabama.
The upcoming NFL Draft is one the Bengals could also use to bolster their offensive line. Not many mock drafts have them taking one in the first round. However, if players such as Will Johnson or Kelvin Banks Jr are still available when they are on the clock, they may feel they cannot miss out on the opportunity. They could also move up should it get to pick 12 or 13 and Johnson or Banks Jr are still sitting there.
If they don’t go down the offensive line route in the first round, then round two offers an opportunity for them to find someone on a cheap deal. Arizona tackle Jonah Savaiinaea has been predicted in some mock drafts to be taken at this spot. If the Bengals ignore offensive line in the first two rounds, they only have themselves to blame.
Defense wins championships
Even with such a poor performing defense in 2024, they still managed a 9-8 record. This is a testament to the strength of the roster and coaching.
A tough schedule in 2025 sees them play the Baltimore Ravens, Browns and Pittsburgh Steelers twice, the Buffalo Bills, Green Bay Packers, Minnesota Vikings, Denver Broncos and Detroit Lions. The defense needs addressing fast.
The consensus in the NFL media is that the Bengals will choose an edge rusher in the first round of the draft given the aforementioned uncertainty with Hendrickson. Their poor performing defense struggled with Hendrickson on the roster. Without him and the retiring Sam Hubbard, this could be a legendarily bad defense in 2025 if the problems aren’t addressed.
Free Agency has already seen the best edge rushers taken, so the NFL draft is how they will have to bolster this unit. Currently possessing the 17th overall pick, several mock drafts have them taking the ninth defensive player off the board. Edge rushers Mykel Williams and Mike Green, out of Georgia and Marshall respectively, have been touted as two prospects that could very well be taken with this selection.
Burrow turns 30 next year. With an offensive line that keeps allowing him to be sacked 196 times in five seasons, 2.84 per game, they cannot expect him to play until he is 40. They have to capitalise on this excellent offensive trio of Burrow, Chase and Higgins, as this is arguably the best that the franchise has ever seen. This is a crucial offseason for Cincinnati as they hope to finally win that illustrious first Lombardi Trophy.
ANDY DAVIES
NFL ANALYST
ANDY IS A SPORTS JOURNALISM GRADUATE WITH OVER FOUR YEARS EXPERIENCE OF NFL WRITING AND PODCASTING. ANDY HAS BEEN TO EVERY NFL STADIUM AND IS THE HOST OF THE ACROSS THE POD PODCAST. HE HAS PRESS PASS EXPERIENCE AT THE LONDON GAMES AND MANY OTHER NFL BASED EVENTS SUCH AS THE SUPER BOWL, HAVING INTERVIEWED THE LIKES OF AARON RODGERS, JASON BELL, OSI UMENYIORA, PATRICK MAHOMES, TRAVIS KELCE, DERRICK HENRY, SAQUON BARKLEY AND JALEN HURTS.