Right now, things aren’t looking too great for the Cincinnati Bengals in free agency. In fact, they might be as bad as they seem. If you take a quick glance at any Bengals free agency tracker, the pattern is crystal clear—they’re mainly focused on re-signing their own guys and keeping the roster almost identical to last year.
Same Old, Same Old?
Instead of making a splash in the market, the Bengals have doubled down on familiar faces. Key returnees include B.J. Hill and Joseph Ossai, two defensive pieces they clearly felt were must-haves. And while it’s smart to maintain some consistency, that doesn’t exactly scream “aggressive improvement.”
They even brought back Samaje Perine for pass-blocking duties—a necessary move considering how dangerously thin their running back depth chart is. But outside of these in-house decisions, the new additions? Well, let’s just say they don’t inspire much confidence.
Questionable Additions, Big Misses
The Bengals did manage to sign defensive lineman T.J. Slaton, a decent run-stuffer but a major liability on passing downs. Their logic? Stronger run defense could free up their pass rush. The problem? A one-dimensional nose tackle might not be the magic fix they’re hoping for.
Then there’s linebacker Oren Burks. He had brief flashes of promise elsewhere, but right now, he feels like a one-for-one replacement for Akeem Davis-Gaither. That’s not necessarily a bad thing—but it’s also not an upgrade.
Worse yet, the Bengals have completely whiffed on the offensive guard market. Even Kevin Zeitler, a solid target, is off the board. Meanwhile, they’ve passed on edge rushers and interior linemen like Teair Tart and other viable options. For a team that should be in “win now” mode, that’s a major head-scratcher.
Waiting Game Gone Wrong?
Could they still add players? Absolutely. Bringing in someone like Brandon Scherff at guard would make sense. But their strategy—if you can call it that—seems to be waiting until the big names are gone before making moves. That’s not just bad optics; it could seriously hurt the team’s chances in 2025.
From the outside looking in, it feels like the Bengals are stuck, hesitant to make big moves while dealing with the contract situations of Trey Hendrickson, Ja’Marr Chase, and Tee Higgins. Is that the full truth? Maybe not. But perception matters. And right now, it’s easy to see why fans might feel like this team won’t take any real action until they figure out those big-money deals.
Banking on Coaching, Not Players
It’s becoming clearer that Cincinnati is content with rolling out nearly the same roster next season. Their bet? That a new offensive line coach will be the game-changer—despite cutting Alex Cappa and potentially relying on Cody Ford as a starter. That’s a huge gamble for a unit that was already a major issue last season.
Defensively, they’re hoping Al Golden’s return can be a magic fix for multiple issues, from poor line depth to first-round busts like Myles Murphy, awful tackling, and a secondary forcing Dax Hill into yet another position adjustment. And yet, they’re bringing back the same safeties from last year, expecting different results. That’s optimism—maybe too much of it.
Draft Dilemmas and Desperation
Of course, the Bengals will try to find upgrades in the draft. But here’s the problem: Instead of taking the best player available, they’ve once again boxed themselves into drafting for need—especially at guard. Given their recent draft struggles and the way they seemingly tip their hand to other teams about their plans, that’s not an enviable position to be in.
And let’s be real—when you’re filling needs in the draft instead of building depth or adding elite talent, you’re already behind. One solid addition at guard would be great, but considering they’ve let the free-agent market dry up, they’ll be stuck picking from the third or fourth wave of players. That’s a massive risk. And even if they land one guy, what about the other guard spot?
Is It Enough?
Now, to be fair, the Bengals finished 9-8 last year. So, you could argue that a few small tweaks might get them back into the playoffs. But let’s not forget—it took an MVP-level effort from their quarterback, a triple-crown wide receiver, and the league’s sack leader to even get there. And two of those three players are currently unhappy with their contracts. That’s a ticking time bomb the front office can’t afford to ignore.
Meanwhile, the franchise quarterback—who desperately wants to win now—is practically begging the front office, in public, to start acting like a modern NFL organization. And yet, their response? They’ve essentially gone into their shell, moving at a turtle’s pace while the rest of the league passes them by.
Final Thoughts: A Team in Limbo
Right now, the Bengals feel like a team caught in limbo. There’s pressure to make moves, yet their actions don’t reflect any urgency. The big contracts hanging over their heads are likely a factor, but that doesn’t excuse the lack of aggression. Future moves may come, but at this point, will they be enough?
Bengals fans are left watching and waiting, hoping their team doesn’t squander another year of their franchise QB’s prime. But if Cincinnati keeps playing it safe while their competitors get stronger, they might just find themselves left behind.
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