The Cincinnati Bengals have gotten a bit of a reprieve from the drama they had been dealing with in recent months. After star defensive end Trey Hendrickson asked to be traded amidst a stalemate in negotiations for a contract extension, he agreed to an increase in his salary to $30 million for this season. He will still be a free agent next spring, but at least for now, he’s staying put.
As a result, the Bengals can now focus on football as Week 1 approaches. They have issues on defense, but they do have one of the game’s deadliest trios on offense with quarterback Joe Burrow and wide receivers Ja’Marr Chase and Tee Higgins in the fold and signed to extensions of their own.
Colorful former Cincinnati star wideout Chad Johnson, a six-time Pro Bowler, isn’t just bullish on his former team this season. He told Pro Football Hall of Famer Shannon Sharpe on “Night Cap” that the squad is going to the Super Bowl, regardless of its defensive issues.
“We don’t need our defense to be top five, top 10, just get us somewhere around 15 to 16,” Johnson said. “I’ll see y’all boys in February. I know one thing: The AFC North goes through Cincinnati.”
NEW YORK, NEW YORK – AUGUST 08: Chad Ochocinco plays Pickleball to celebrate National Pickleball Day and the upcoming 2025 DoorDash Major League Pickleball Finals at Grand Central Terminal on August 08, 2025 in New…
NEW YORK, NEW YORK – AUGUST 08: Chad Ochocinco plays Pickleball to celebrate National Pickleball Day and the upcoming 2025 DoorDash Major League Pickleball Finals at Grand Central Terminal on August 08, 2025 in New York City. (Photo by Noam Galai/Getty Images)
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Defense is the concern most other people have about the Bengals. They were 25th in points and total yards allowed last year, and in 2023, they were 21st and 31st, respectively, in those categories. It was a major reason they went 9-8 and missed the playoffs in each of the last two seasons.
The team could use another legitimate edge rusher other than Hendrickson, as well as help in the secondary.
However, this is a team that should be able to flat-out outscore most other NFL teams. It was sixth in points scored last year, largely because Chase led the league in receiving yards (1,708) and receiving touchdowns (17) while Burrow had more passing yards (4,918) and passing touchdowns (43) than anyone else.
Their running game was weak last season, but starting running back Chase Brown could still be on an upward trajectory after dramatically improving his production.
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Expecting the Bengals to make a Super Bowl appearance may be asking a little too much of them right now, but they will definitely have to be accounted for in the AFC North, which is arguably the NFL‘s toughest division.
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