(Editor’s Note: This interview was conducted prior to the Bengals renegotiating Trey Hendrickson’s 2025 contract and their signing of guard Dalton Risner.)
Last year, the Cincinnati Bengals engaged in an epic battle in Week 17 against the Denver Broncos. The win kept the Bengals alive for the playoffs, but those hopes were ultimately squashed in the last week of the year, with things sorting out to a gateway for Denver to make the playoffs.
In terms of the national pundits, opinions are split on Cincinnati’s 2025 season outlook, and predictions are mixed. However, according to one decorated NFL retiree who has a great pulse on the league, owns three Super Bowl rings and three sons in the NFL, things are looking up for both Denver and the Bengals.
We at Cincy Jungle, The Orange and Black Insider, and the BLEAV in Cincy podcast channel had the pleasure of speaking with the 13-year NFL veteran this week ahead of the 2025 regular season. As far as the Bengals go, the former Giants, 49ers, and Broncos receiver felt that the Bengals have a strong outlook this year. We asked him about the season ahead for both Denver and Cincinnati.
“The Broncos are trending upwards and so are the Bengals,” said the patriarch of a budding familial NFL dynasty. “They’ve had such a bad start the past couple of years, so that’s why they’ve played Joe Burrow and so many other starters in the preseason. I think he (Burrow) got that 17-yard sack out of his system (chuckles), so that’s good…”
McCaffrey then noted his affinity for many things Cincinnati. He said he roots for Cincinnati because of a positive interaction with Burrow, but also knows a lot of things about the Queen City, including Kroger, Skyline chili, Graeter’s Ice Cream, and the overall vibe of it being a football town.
“I think they’re a playoff team this year—they’re not going to get knocked out—they’re going to win a couple of more games early on,” McCaffrey continued. “They have such a dynamic passing attack—I’m interested to see their defense, I’d like to see them re-sign Trey (Hendrickson). He’s an important part of their defense.”
As has long been chronicled, the Bengals and Hendrickson are at a contract impasse. So, what McCaffrey said about Cincinnati’s defense isn’t earth-shattering, but it is notable against a 2024 playoff team in the Broncos.
“The (Bengals’) offense is absolutely explosive and I think they’re going to put up a lot of points,” McCaffrey continued. “You know, I watched Joe (Burrow) in person, a couple of times, in person—he’s a technician, he’s a surgeon, and he’s got weapons around him—so, you’re not going to grind it out against the Bengals. They’re going to be putting up mid-20s/30 points a game…”
This take may now truly come to fruition now that guard Dalton Risner is in the fold and Trey Hendrickson has returned to practice after a renegotiated 2025 contract.
Another point of the conversation centered around the unanimous desire to see the top teams and their quarterbacks be in the playoff bracket. While Burrow is definitely in that conversation, it remains to be seen if Bo Nix can elevate himself in that top-7 conversation in the AFC. McCaffrey has high hopes, but more needs to be seen.
Regardless, the Week 4 matchup between the Bengals and Broncos should be exciting—particularly if last year’s game between the two was any indication. Still, how will Cincinnati fare through the first three games?
We talked to Ed McCaffrey about a number of different topics, including his illustrious career, the NFL landscape, and his memories of Corey Dillon’s then-NFL-record-breaking game against Denver in 2001.
Ed McCaffrey joined us courtesy of his representation and his personal brands of culinary goods. To get the best in protein products, go to the McCaffrey Brands website. There, you’ll find great protein-filled snacks and condiments for your tailgate or homegate.