The first thing that comes to mind when thinking of the Cincinnati Bengals is the offense. Zac Taylor's team shined on that side of the ball last season, especially through the air.
Cincinnati boasted the NFL's most consistently productive passing offense, leading the league with 272.9 yards per game. That's the level of excellence fans have come to expect from the team with Joe Burrow under center.
But it's the receiving corps that takes his talent to the next level. Ja'Marr Chase holds claim to the title of best receiver in football, coming off a remarkable triple-crown campaign that included over 1,700 yards and 17 touchdowns.
Alongside Chase, the Bengals have arguably the best No. 2 option in the league in Tee Higgins, who finished with 911 yards last season in a campaign shortened to 12 games by injury.
These two share the spotlight for what Pro Football Focus has ranked as the No. 3 receiving corps heading into the 2025 season. While Chase and Higgins draw the headlines, the Bengals return solid 2024 production from tight end Mike Gesicki and running back Chase Brown.
This goes without mention of No. 3 receiver Andrei Iosivas who more than doubled his production in his second season. Altogether, the Bengals had a 80.3 teamwide PFF grade, ranking seventh in the league.
Barring any significant injury, this year's bunch promises much of the same production. However, the Bengals as an entire team teeter between contender and pretender by virtue of a concerning defensive outlook.
Those gaudy receiving numbers also cost major figures. Cincinnati signed Chase and Higgins to handsome deals earlier in the spring but came to an impasse in contract extension talks with star defensive end Trey Hendrickson.
The Bengals have yet to commit to the league's sack leader over the last two seasons and continues to navigate an odd rookie contract dispute with first-round selection Shemar Stewart, a defensive end from the Texas A&M Aggies.
Newly appointed defensive coordinator Al Golden still has his work cut out even with those two on the field. Their absence will make the climb harder.
The Bengals overcame their defensive struggles in spots last season thanks to the brilliance of their offense though that strategy was proven to be unsustainable. If the same story plays out again, this outstanding receiving corps will be all for naught.
