The Cincinnati Bengals are entering a pivotal season. Missing the playoffs for the second straight season after making a Super Bowl and an AFC championship in the two seasons prior, the Bengals are hungrier than ever to get back to where they were and prove that they still belong in the upper echelon of the AFC.
Since taking over in 2019, head coach Zac Taylor has brought new life to the Bengals organization, taking a franchise that had not won a playoff game since 1990 and turning it into a legit contender year in and year out. But the last couple of seasons have seen the team struggle in a variety of ways and because of that, Pro Football Focus named Taylor among its hot seat candidates for the 2025 season.
Taylor on the Hot Seat?
Taylor’s tenure has seen the Bengals become an offensive juggernaut, with quarterback Joe Burrow and wide receiver Ja’Marr Chase being considered among the best at their respective positions. But with a roster flooded with talent, and being unable to reach the heights that everyone believes the Bengals should reach, PFF’s Bradley Locker sees 2025 as a big season for Taylor if he wants to keep his job.
“The Bengals went 9-8 in 2024, a record many teams would have loved to have reached. But considering the talent on the roster and a waning championship window, it feels like a prove-it year for Taylor,” Locker wrote. “Although Cincinnati’s offense finished seventh in EPA per play, its defense languished to 28th in success rate despite Trey Hendrickson‘s presence (90.4 PFF pass-rushing grade). Joe Burrow, Ja’Marr Chase, and Tee Higgins effectively played like Madden characters each week, and it still wasn’t enough to crack the playoffs — largely due to a 1-4 start.”
“Cincinnati extended both Chase (84.9 PFF receiving grade) and Higgins (88.3 PFF receiving grade), keeping the groundwork in place for another high-flying offense. But it’s fair to wonder how much better the defense is on paper, even after adding top picks Shemar Stewart (79.5 PFF overall grade) and Demetrius Knight Jr. (82.8 PFF overall grade). The Bengals’ core isn’t getting any younger or cheaper, and key pieces, such as Hendrickson, may not have much time left in Cincinnati. After two straight 9-8 finishes, it feels like Taylor will need to at least make the playoffs this year to retain his job.”
Considering how good the Bengals have been overall under Taylor, it would be surprising if the team actually chose to go in a new direction if they fall short of expectations again in 2025, but in today’s era, anything is possible.
Bengals’ Outlook for this Season
Contract disputes have plagued the team the past two offseasons– last year it was Chase and Higgins and this season it is Stewart and Hendrickson, creating major distractions heading into the season. So far, the team has been unable to come to terms with those players, but the franchise is still going full steam ahead on preparing for the season nonetheless.
The schedule features some tough matchups, but if the Bengals can avoid a slow start and not let the contract issues affect them, they could be in a for a very successful rebound season.
