Despite finishing the season on a five-game winning streak (9-8 record), the Cincinnati Bengals failed to make the playoffs for the second year in a row.
The offense was a bright spot for Cincinnati. Led by arguably the best quarterback-wide receiver duo in the NFL, Joe Burrow and Ja'Marr Chase, the team ranked sixth in points per game (27.8).
On the defensive side of the ball is where they struggled. The Bengals ranked 25th in yards allowed per game (348.3) as well as points allowed per game (25.5). And on Monday, they fired defensive coordinator Lou Anarumo.
That's not the only change expected to take place this offseason. Cincinnati will have new faces in the building before the 2025 season gets underway, and ESPN's Ben Solak is predicting the Bengals will land Atlanta Falcons tight end Kyle Pitts via trade.
"Tight end Kyle Pitts is due $10.8 million on the final year of his deal in 2025 (signed a 4-year $32.9 million deal in 2021)," Solak said. "Can the Falcons get more for him in a trade than they would in a compensatory pick after he leaves in free agency? I think they could, as he has a rosier future on an offense that actually fits his skill set. My prediction: Pitts will get dealt to the Bengals for a Day 3 pick."
Fans might ask why the Bengals would be interested in bringing in another pass-catching tight end after Mike Gesicki just hauled in 83 receptions for 665 yards and two touchdowns this season.
The answer is simple: Gesicki signed just a one-year deal with Cincinnati for the 2024 season, meaning he’ll hit free agency.
Pitts is only 24 years old and was a top-four overall pick. As a rookie, the former Florida Gator went for over 1,000 yards, but he has not lived up to his potential since.
Pairing him with Burrow and having Chase line up outside him could unlock his potential and form a pretty lethal trio.
Solak also predicts the Bengals will lose other wide receiver, Tee Higgins, in free agency.
"After making a valiant effort to re-sign Higgins but eventually getting priced out, the Bengals will make Chase the league's highest-paid receiver with a five-year, $180 million deal," Solak said.
To replace Higgins, Solak listed Olamide Zaccheaus, Rondale Moore or Darius Slayton as potential low-cost options.
