2025 Bengals the most dangerous team in the NFL if they get in the playoffs?

[Allentown21]

What are your thoughts?

 

Burrow is 8-0 in his last 8 starts

Burrow has been to a super bowl and 2 AFC championships 

Chase & Higgins are fully healthy 

 

I have a feeling even 8 wins will win the AFC North for Cincinnati even if they mess up one more time 

[Stripes]

I think they could be "dangerous" if that's interpreted as "dangerous for everyone on the field including themselves". I don't think the defense is likely to sustain strong play against playoff competition consistently. The Bills game could be telling in that way.

But I've always said: get Joe Burrow to the dance, and you have a chance. No rhyme intended.

Unfortunately, given that I will not tinker with playoff machines, the Bengals current probability for a playoff berth is 0%. Woo! Let's get some cheap wins for the sake of culture! Woo!

[AMPHAR]

Way too early for this kinda of BS.    Get to 6-8 first then start writing/reading/spewing this crap.     Allen and Lamar could drop 40+ on that D and everyone quickly forgets about the slight improvement they've shown the past 3 weeks. 

 

[ArmyBengal]

Chase, Burrow and Higgins are the answers to the wrong questions.

What about the defense?  What about Trey?  What about not looking like the keystone cops of the NFL?
What about not being a steaming pile of dog shit when your offense puts up more than 35 points in a loss?

People shouldn't be asking why Flacco lost more than he won considering the plethora of offensive talent.
They should be asking why this defense has resembled a giant shit sandwich in the majority of the games this year.

Playoffs??  You kidding me??  Playoffs??

[HoosierCat]

35 minutes ago, ArmyBengal said:

 What about Trey? 

On that note, yes, what *is* up with Trey? He's allegedly been week-to-week, but was already ruled out yesterday by Taylor. Zac sounded pretty much done with the whole thing, if you ask me. Hendrickson has missed 5 games so far (and was more or less ineffective in his last two appearances) and reportedly has a sports hernia that requires surgery...yet he's not doing that or getting back on the field.

I'm just some kibitzer on this here series of tubes, but it seems like Trey has packed it in.

[COB]

I’m not a fan of Trey.  I don’t know much about his injury.  At first we heard hip, then sports hernia (where’d we hear that again?) and I recall some other thing too but I can’t remember what it was.  A lot of vague bullshit, which is probably what has Zac annoyed.  If you can piss off the ultimate player’s coach, Zac Taylor, you have accomplished something.  

[ArmyBengal]

This just in, Trey has a broken vagina.
Out for the season.

[COB]

Badly bruised ego.  

[COB]

One possible upside:

Assuming Trey is essentially quiet quitting on the Bengals:

Maybe this will force the front office to change their ways.  As it is now, they use leverage more than any other team in the league.  Whatever little issue this, they don’t care.  They’re going to win and they don’t care about the morale issue, the fan backlash, none of it.  Players have one final trump card: force me to play out the last year of this deal, tag me, whatever.  I’ll just have a mysterious hamstring issue and limp to the bank every week.

The Steelers used to do this stuff.  But after they tagged Leveon Bell the second time, dude straight up sat out the whole season.  I think it had a huge effect on that team.  They had beaten the Chiefs in the playoffs the year before, but they haven’t won a playoff game since.  I think they noticed the effect it had on the team and they are now way more careful in how they do business.  

[gregcook69]

12 hours ago, ArmyBengal said:

Chase, Burrow and Higgins are the answers to the wrong questions.

What about the defense?  What about Trey?  What about not looking like the keystone cops of the NFL?
What about not being a steaming pile of dog shit when your offense puts up more than 35 points in a loss?

People shouldn't be asking why Flacco lost more than he won considering the plethora of offensive talent.
They should be asking why this defense has resembled a giant shit sandwich in the majority of the games this year.

Playoffs??  You kidding me??  Playoffs??

Not to mention two of the games he lost the offense scored 38 and 42 points!!

[AMPHAR]

Trey quitting could be true, but I doubt it.   Its low logic thinking, IMO.    The final offer on the table rumored was 2 yr $55-60m.  He wanted that 2nd year guaranteed.  At some point was wanting 3 year guaranteed.  That was the hold up. 

Trey missing time AND if he's truly quit that just furthers the Bengals position as correct.     I don't think he quit because that is not going to help him get that remaining money off the 2nd year.   Furthermore the rumors are he's putting off surgery in case of playoff run.

All the rumors will play out in the future months,  but the Bengals were 100% correct in holding their ground over guaranteeing money to a 30+ old DE coming off career highs and somehow had an issue with his contract for consecutive years. 

 

 

 

 

[AMPHAR]

16 hours ago, COB said:

One possible upside:

Assuming Trey is essentially quiet quitting on the Bengals:

Maybe this will force the front office to change their ways.  As it is now, they use leverage more than any other team in the league.  Whatever little issue this, they don’t care.  They’re going to win and they don’t care about the morale issue, the fan backlash, none of it.  Players have one final trump card: force me to play out the last year of this deal, tag me, whatever.  I’ll just have a mysterious hamstring issue and limp to the bank every week.

The Steelers used to do this stuff.  But after they tagged Leveon Bell the second time, dude straight up sat out the whole season.  I think it had a huge effect on that team.  They had beaten the Chiefs in the playoffs the year before, but they haven’t won a playoff game since.  I think they noticed the effect it had on the team and they are now way more careful in how they do business.  

Steelers have to pay Watt $64m the next 2 seasons, I believe guaranteed.   Carries $94m dead cap next year, and $54m the following.

What lesson are you talking about exactly?   

Bengal contract negotiations are annoying but I'm sure glad they have an option to tag or move on from Trey this coming off season.  

[HoosierCat]

I do not now expect Trey to be back with Bengals next year. They were unwilling to sign him to a multi-year deal due to his age last offseason, and I doubt that him getting 1. another year older and 2. missing half the season due to injury will do anything to change their minds.

The idea that he might be available if they make the playoffs could very well be true. It smacks of hopium, but *everything* about the rest of the season smacks of hopium so why should Trey be any different?

That said we already saw him try and fail to play through whatever the injury is, so I have very low expectations should they roll him out there.

If there is a silver lining to this whole mess, it's that Trey being out has given Myles Murphy badly-needed playtime (he's on pace to play 680 snaps this season, after playing 653 in his first two years combined) and he has actually become a solid contributor. Whoda thunk it.

[AMPHAR]

Bengals had multi year deals on the table.   The sticking point was the guaranteed money.  Trey wanted up to 3 years and then 2 years.   They compromised to 1 year and kept the right to tag.   Most likely the year 1 and tag year for the Bengals would have been in the range of the 2 years offered. 

I don't think Trey has quit because his inability to play has now put those year 2 amounts into question.   He won't get it on the open market without some incentives pushed beyond the 2026 season.    The Bengals could now pass on the option of tagging him or having him play on the tag.

It was smart of the Bengals to play hardball his off season.   A bunch of Pittsburgh fans are questioning the value of Watt butt they are stuck and if he doesn't revert back DPOY standard it will be an issue they must work around. 

[TJJackson]

5 hours ago, HoosierCat said:

Whoda thunk it.

me

and Max

[Stripes]

I still think Myles Murphy stinks. You’ll have to pry my hater badge from my cold, dead fingers.

(please make an ass of me, Myles)

[Coltsguy451]

On 12/3/2025 at 8:20 AM, ArmyBengal said:

Playoffs??  You kidding me??  Playoffs??

Le sigh... 

[COB]

9 hours ago, AMPHAR said:

Steelers have to pay Watt $64m the next 2 seasons, I believe guaranteed.   Carries $94m dead cap next year, and $54m the following.

What lesson are you talking about exactly?   

Bengal contract negotiations are annoying but I'm sure glad they have an option to tag or move on from Trey this coming off season. 

I thought I was pretty clear regarding the lesson I was talking about.  I’ll quote myself:

As it is now, they use leverage more than any other team in the league.  Whatever little issue this, they don’t care.  They’re going to win and they don’t care about the morale issue, the fan backlash, none of it. 
 

[COB]

Using the TJ Watt contract as a straw man, pretending that I somehow endorsed that specific contract, is a deflection.  If you really don’t know what I’m talking about, I’ll give you one example (though there are many, many, others).  When idiot Trey Hendrickson tried to push for a trade, personnel guys from other teams complained about how difficult it was to even get in touch with the right person in Cincy to discuss a trade.  

What follows is the whole of a Sports Illustrated article from September 4th of this year.  This article does a better job than I can of describing the lessons I’m hoping the bengals can learn from this moronic raise they gave a player who has spent the last 3 off seasons antagonizing and being the absolute opposite of a leader.  Pretty much matching the Bengals front office step for step - antagonistic and lacking leadership.  (I tried to insert the link but Bengalszone says I’m too stupid, that I should go back to school for a few semesters before I’ll be allowed to insert links):

“First it was the players in the annual NFLPA survey. Now it's the agents across the league who are excoriating Cincinnati Bengals ownership and management.

The Bengals are the most unstable franchise in the NFL, according to an annual survey of NFL agents.

Veteran Washington Commanders reporter Ben Stadig published his seventh annual NFL agent survey, which compiled candid, anonymous responses to questions about the Jerry Jones-Micah Parsons spat, Shedeur Sanders’ slide in the draft and the best and worst organizations.

On the latter, the Bengals received 23 percent of the votes being the most unstable franchise in the league.

Standig surveyed 24 agents, and the Bengals received 5.5 votes, followed by the Dallas Cowboys (3.5), Cleveland Browns (3), Carolina Panthers (3), Chicago Bears (2) and Jacksonville Jaguars (2).

“There is always some kind of issue there and not much accountability,” one agent wrote. “This offseason, the contract negotiation for Trey Hendrickson and the language in the contract of their first-round pick are great examples. Every agent knows what’s coming.”

The standoffs with Hendrickson and first-round pick Shemar Stewart made for lead segment fodder across the NFL landscape this offseason.

“Mom and pop ownership,” another agent responded. “In 2025. Makes it difficult to navigate.”

 

 

Conversely, on the question about the franchise that most has its act together, the Bengals’ AFC North Rival Baltimore Ravens came in tied for second behind the defending Super Bowl champion Philadelphia Eagles.

Two other franchise standing in the way of the Bengals winning another AFC championship – the Kansas City Chiefs and Buffalo Bills – also received votes.

Another survey question focused specifically on general managers and front offices. 

Asked which was the most difficult to navigate, the agents overwhelmingly picked the Bengals with 31 percent of the votes (7.5).

The Cowboys came in second and barely had half as many (4) votes.

“Unreasonable and cheap,” one agent said.

“This is less about Duke (Tobin), though he plays a role,” another agent responded. “They have five different people doing the same job. Seems like there is no internal communication.”

“Who’s in charge?” another agent responded after an exasperated paused. “It’s like the Wild West days. You do into a saloon, inevitably something happens, but you know the bartender isn’t really in charge.”

 

[AMPHAR]

10 hours ago, COB said:

I thought I was pretty clear regarding the lesson I was talking about.  I’ll quote myself:

As it is now, they use leverage more than any other team in the league.  Whatever little issue this, they don’t care.  They’re going to win and they don’t care about the morale issue, the fan backlash, none of it. 
 

Again, what lesson?    They were right in not guaranteeing multiple years for him.  

[AMPHAR]

10 hours ago, COB said:

Using the TJ Watt contract as a straw man, pretending that I somehow endorsed that specific contract, is a deflection.  If you really don’t know what I’m talking about, I’ll give you one example (though there are many, many, others).  When idiot Trey Hendrickson tried to push for a trade, personnel guys from other teams complained about how difficult it was to even get in touch with the right person in Cincy to discuss a trade.  

What follows is the whole of a Sports Illustrated article from September 4th of this year.  This article does a better job than I can of describing the lessons I’m hoping the bengals can learn from this moronic raise they gave a player who has spent the last 3 off seasons antagonizing and being the absolute opposite of a leader.  Pretty much matching the Bengals front office step for step - antagonistic and lacking leadership.  (I tried to insert the link but Bengalszone says I’m too stupid, that I should go back to school for a few semesters before I’ll be allowed to insert links):

“First it was the players in the annual NFLPA survey. Now it's the agents across the league who are excoriating Cincinnati Bengals ownership and management.

The Bengals are the most unstable franchise in the NFL, according to an annual survey of NFL agents.

Veteran Washington Commanders reporter Ben Stadig published his seventh annual NFL agent survey, which compiled candid, anonymous responses to questions about the Jerry Jones-Micah Parsons spat, Shedeur Sanders’ slide in the draft and the best and worst organizations.

On the latter, the Bengals received 23 percent of the votes being the most unstable franchise in the league.

Standig surveyed 24 agents, and the Bengals received 5.5 votes, followed by the Dallas Cowboys (3.5), Cleveland Browns (3), Carolina Panthers (3), Chicago Bears (2) and Jacksonville Jaguars (2).

“There is always some kind of issue there and not much accountability,” one agent wrote. “This offseason, the contract negotiation for Trey Hendrickson and the language in the contract of their first-round pick are great examples. Every agent knows what’s coming.”

The standoffs with Hendrickson and first-round pick Shemar Stewart made for lead segment fodder across the NFL landscape this offseason.

“Mom and pop ownership,” another agent responded. “In 2025. Makes it difficult to navigate.”

 

 

Conversely, on the question about the franchise that most has its act together, the Bengals’ AFC North Rival Baltimore Ravens came in tied for second behind the defending Super Bowl champion Philadelphia Eagles.

Two other franchise standing in the way of the Bengals winning another AFC championship – the Kansas City Chiefs and Buffalo Bills – also received votes.

Another survey question focused specifically on general managers and front offices. 

Asked which was the most difficult to navigate, the agents overwhelmingly picked the Bengals with 31 percent of the votes (7.5).

The Cowboys came in second and barely had half as many (4) votes.

“Unreasonable and cheap,” one agent said.

“This is less about Duke (Tobin), though he plays a role,” another agent responded. “They have five different people doing the same job. Seems like there is no internal communication.”

“Who’s in charge?” another agent responded after an exasperated paused. “It’s like the Wild West days. You do into a saloon, inevitably something happens, but you know the bartender isn’t really in charge.”

 

I don't know if you advocated specifically for the Watt contract or not.  Who cares if you did or didn't?   You claimed they could learn a lesson about using their leverage extensively.      The Watt contract just happens to be the alternative because the Trey hold up was about guaranteed money.     

With Trey missing games and rumors off season surgery it now appears the Bengals identified the risk correctly and proceeded correctly in that negotiation.    

I am disappointed Trey is having a down season one of his worse.   I am also glad that they aren't locked into paying him $30m.  They can sit and wait to see what off season surgery looks like and have options to retain him if they want to.   Trey probably isn't looking at $30m dollar pay day in a singular season next year except maybe from the Bengals. 

Seems kinda simple.   

Again, what lesson should the Bengals learn?   Seems like they were not off base in this situation. 

 

 

 

[ArmyBengal]

13 hours ago, Stripes said:

I still think Myles Murphy stinks. You’ll have to pry my hater badge from my cold, dead fingers.

(please make an ass of me, Myles)

I'm with you Stripes.  Murphy just pisses me off.  Not because he's a bad person, but because he was not as advertised.
For everyone hating on Shemar Stewart, that hate should be doubled for Murphy.  He's the opposite of Stewart coming out of college.
Consistent production since his freshman year leading the team in either sacks, tackles for loss, passes defensed and others.
He was considered a very safe pick in the draft and a perceived value at the bottom of the first round, pick 28.

He was widely considered a top 10 prospect and fringe blue chipper.
Where's that guy?

The only thing I did see was that even with all that, there was still feeling he could develop more to reach his true ceiling.
This is year 3 and if continued inconsistency and a lack of production (2.5 sacks, 17 solo tackles) is the ceiling, yeah he stinks.

Our current batch of DE's is the reason why DE will yet again be a strong consideration for another 1st round selection.
Trey will be gone, Murphy stinks, Shemar is a questionable question.  Ossai is our best DE at the moment and that's a low bar.

[HoosierCat]

7 hours ago, ArmyBengal said:

I'm with you Stripes.  Murphy just pisses me off.  Not because he's a bad person, but because he was not as advertised.
For everyone hating on Shemar Stewart, that hate should be doubled for Murphy.  He's the opposite of Stewart coming out of college.
Consistent production since his freshman year leading the team in either sacks, tackles for loss, passes defensed and others.
He was considered a very safe pick in the draft and a perceived value at the bottom of the first round, pick 28.

I must admit I did not have "Myles Murphy stan" on my 2025 bingo card, but here we are.

Murphy was indeed rated very highly...initially. But as the draft process heated up and people took a closer look, that changed, and he very rapidly fell out of the top 10 and, in some cases, out of the first altogether in mocks. His college production was good, but not great, and he declined to test, which also didn't help his draft stock. Zierlein's profile of him has turned out to be almost frighteningly accurate. His bottom line was a 6.42 grade, or "will become a good starter within two years." And here we are with him essentially getting his second year's worth of snaps, and is turning into a decent player. In other words, he's right where he was projected to be.

Sucks he isn't better, but this was always what he was.

[AMPHAR]

Unless this defense led by the DEs contains Allen and Lamar the next 2 weeks, the only DEs I'm concerned with are Trey and Ossai.   Mildly concerned with Ossai, I think he's worth a mid-level contract.     Outside of that every DE should be facing the axe or bench next year when it comes to snaps and roster spots. 

 

 

[AMPHAR]

I think its proving out that Murphy's DE class was average or worse after Will Anderson.   The drafting mistakes Bengals make when they focus on future roster holes vs. BPA.