Cincinnati enters the 2025 season with a diminished external perception as an AFC contender after two consecutive seasons without postseason play. The 2024 team finished 9-8 and was eliminated from playoff contention in the final week. Joe Burrow played every game for the first time, and Burrow, Ja'Marr Chase and Trey Hendrickson posted career years, but collective performance and other factors prevented a postseason return. The franchise is attempting to restore the division and conference-winning form from 2021–22 and is committing significant work and preparation to win more games and reverse the current narrative.
CINCINNATI -- In recent seasons, the Cincinnati Bengals were among those considered to be contenders to win the AFC. That might not be the case entering the 2025 season. After two consecutive seasons without postseason play, the Bengals are trying to get back to the division and championship-winning form they showed in 2021 and 2022. And the lack of recent success appears to have dinged the team's perception.
"I certainly think that the narrative surrounding our team has shifted," quarterback Joe Burrow said on Wednesday. "I'm not sure I would say most to prove. I would say that we certainly are trying to go out and win as much as we can. We're putting in a lot of work for it."
Last season marked the first time Burrow played in every game of the season and Cincinnati failed to make the playoffs. The Bengals went 9-8 and were eliminated from postseason contention on the final week of the regular season. Career years from Burrow, wide receiver Ja'Marr Chase and defensive end Trey Hendrickson were squandered as a combination of factors led to Cincinnati missing the playoffs.
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