There’s no dodging the expectations in 2025. Cincinnati can’t fumble another season of Burrow’s prime. It’s playoffs (and more) or bust for the Bengals, who are once again poised to boast an elite offense while hanging on for dear life with just enough defense.

A wide range of outcomes for the 2025 Cincinnati Bengals. CBS Sports writer Cody Benjamin thinks the team could win the Super Bowl as the best-case scenario, or play behind the Baltimore Ravens as the worst-case scenario.

At 28 years old, Burrow has put up impressive numbers throughout his five-year NFL career. He has thrown for 19,001 yards, 140 touchdowns, and 46 interceptions, while completing 68.6 percent of his passes in 69 games. Those numbers have come despite two seasons with major injury issues.

“One of the biggest stories of the 2025 regular season was the Bengals finding ways to lose games despite continuous heroic efforts from quarterback Joe Burrow,” Dalton Wasserman wrote. “Burrow ranked second in the NFL in PFF passing grade, but the team’s lack of balance around him on both sides of the ball prevented them from making the playoffs.

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Cincinnati Bengals head coach Zac Taylor might be on the hot seat in 2025, sure. But what about a former understudy such as Brian Callahan?

The implementation of a rookie wage scale in 2011 has largely ended contract holdouts of draft picks, with a couple of exceptions.

The Cincinnati Bengals and one of their star (potentially) players are in a contract dispute. The Bengals and their unsigned first-round pick Shemar Stewart are at an impasse, and it’s not over contract length or total money.

The Cincinnati Bengals are looking to make major noise this season. Even with the questions that remain on defense and on the offensive line at guard, Joe Burrow brings a level of play that makes this team dangerous.