Tag: Cincinnati Bengals

Big name enters Cincinnati Bengals defensive coordinator conversation

A new (big) name is floating around the Bengals’ biggest coaching vacancy.

The Cincinnati Bengals appear to have one of the most attractive coaching vacancies in the NFL right now, with the defensive coordinator position up for grabs.

That’s reflected in the list of top candidates for the job, as well as in the interviews the team has already set up.

And it’s especially evident with former head coach Matt Eberflus entering the conversation, according to ESPN’s Jeremy Fowler: “Former Bears head coach Matt Eberflus is involved in the #Bengals defensive coordinator search, per sources.”

Eberflus flamed out badly as head coach of the Chicago Bears from 2022-2024, but two things apply: Most do in Chicago and that isn’t an indictment on his skills as a coordinator.

One of the top defensive minds in the NFL, Eberflus got his start at the pro level as a positional coach in 2009 and, from 2018-2021, turned an Indianapolis defense from a bottom unit to a top-10 performer with a strong culture of accountability.

The Bengals can’t waste time on developmental coaches lacking experience right now as they sit in win-now mode after a failed season despite historic offensive output.

Written another way, Eberflus might be the top guy for the job.

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Cincinnati Bengals predicted to trade for former top-5 pick

Could the Bengals make this type of bold move?

The Cincinnati Bengals will be on the hunt for quite a few roster upgrades this offseason, especially once some of the coaching vacancies after firings get filled.

While the bulk of the attention projects to go to the defensive side of the ball, providing Joe Burrow with some boosts on the offensive side remains an option.

ESPN’s Ben Solak just went with a unique prediction, saying that the Bengals will trade for Atlanta Falcons tight end Kyle Pitts:

Tight end Kyle Pitts is due $10.8 million on the final year of his deal in 2025. Can the Falcons get more for him in a trade than they would in a compensatory pick after he leaves in free agency? I think they could, as he has a rosier future on an offense that actually fits his skill set. My prediction: Pitts will get dealt to the Bengals for a Day 3 pick.

Pitts, the fourth overall pick in 2021, enters the 2025 season in the final year of his rookie deal as a guy who could have one foot out the door. He’s never fully embraced the draft hype or slotting, totaling just 2,651 receiving yards and 10 touchdowns over four seasons.

Maybe that changes if the Bengals make a move and it’s likely they will be on the hunt for yet another starting tight end if and when Mike Gesicki cashes in elsewhere via free agency.

Since the team should be in win-now mode, coughing up a draft asset to go get a 24-year-old former top-five pick, as opposed to resetting at the position with a rookie or otherwise, could be a good idea.

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Prominent blogger calls out Bengals fans for their obsession with Chiefs, Patrick Mahomes

One prominent blogger has had enough of the Cincinnati #Bengals subreddit’s obsession with the Kansas City #Chiefs and Patrick Mahomes.

The Kansas City Chiefs have garnered their share of detractors since rising to prominence in the Patrick Mahomes era.

Mahomes, who led Kansas City to a 15-2 record in the regular season, has become ubiquitous in American advertising and dealt with some misplaced ill-will from fans around the country amid the Chiefs’ recent dominance.

However, one subset of Kansas City’s critics is far more vocal than others.

Cincinnati Bengals fans, it seems, have a special hatred for the Chiefs generally, and Mahomes specifically.

Their vitriol relative to the defending champions and reigning Super Bowl MVP has reached new levels of toxicity since the Bengals were eliminated from playoff contention earlier this month.

Patrick Allen, a prominent blogger and VP of Content for Fansided, commented on the Cincinnati faithful in a Twitter post this week, pointing out the bizarre nature of the team’s fan page on Reddit.

Allen’s observation came on the same day that Bengals quarterback Joe Burrow garnered more attention in the Associated Press’ All-Pro voting than Mahomes, who wasn’t listed on a single ballot.

Bengals player fined by NFL, another wins appeal

Some Bengals news on NFL fines.

Lost in the shuffle of playoff hopes after a Week 18 victory for the Cincinnati Bengals was some more NFL fines news around the team.

There, as it turns out, Bengals cornerback Josh Newton was fined $4,885 for a “violent gesture” during a celebration the week prior.

The NFL has been attempting to crack down on those apparent types of celebrations and fined Ja’Marr Chase for it earlier this year. Wideout Andrei Iosivas has also been fined for it but won his appeal to the league.

Speaking of successful appeals, according to Sports Illustrated’s Jay Morrison, cornerback Cam Taylor-Britt just won an appeal of his own over a $9,019 fine letter due to…another violent gesture.

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Bengals stars land on 2024 All-Pro team

Two Bengals players make history.

The Cincinnati Bengals may have missed the playoffs at 9-8 this season but some of their players are still getting some recognition for their play this season by the Associated Press.

Two Bengals players were named to the AP All Pro team this season, both landing on the First Team. Wide receiver Ja’Marr Chase, after winning the Triple Crown this season with 127 catches, 1,708 yards, and 17 touchdowns, was perhaps the easiest All-Pro vote this season. He ended up a unanimous selection, getting 50 first-place votes, as did Vikings wide receiver Justin Jefferson.

The other All-Pro Bengal makes plenty of sense as well. Defensive end Trey Hendrickson led the league with 17.5 sacks this season and did so with very little help elsewhere in the pass rush. Hendrickson received 35 first-place votes and 118 total votes — first-place votes were worth three points, second-place votes were worth one. Browns edge rusher Myles Garrett earned 45 first-place votes and 140 total points.

Three other Bengals players earned votes but not enough to make the team. Quarterback Joe Burrow received two first-place votes and 13 total points, finishing third behind Ravens quarterback Lamar Jackson and Bills quarterback Josh Allen.

Wide receiver Tee Higgins and slot cornerback Mike Hilton each saw a second-place vote.

 

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Bengals floated as possible trade suitor for shocking name

The offseason has only just started, yet the wild Bengals trade ideas have launched.

By now, it seems apparent that the Cincinnati Bengals will get Tee Higgins back under contract before he hits free agency this offseason.

Even so, that won’t stop speculation from suggesting the Bengals go out and find a new way to put lethal weapons around Joe Burrow in 2025.

Over at Bleacher Report, Kristopher Knox, for example, listed the top offseason candidates for the trade block in the offseason and put Miami Dolphins wideout Tyreek Hill at No. 1, suggesting the Bengals as a possible suitor:

Cincinnati could also be a viable landing spot if the Bengals don’t retain Tee Higgins. The Bengals want to get back to contention in a hurry, and partnering Hill with Joe Burrow, Ja’Marr Chase and Chase Brown might give them the most explosive offense in the league.

Of course, this one would be a no-go for the Bengals, even if they can’t retain Higgins. Hill just had a down season, will turn 31 this spring and has a cap hit of roughly $28.7 million next season — never mind the whole apparently quitting on the team thing.

All of that is probably a moot point, though. Burrow just sent yet another message at the Bengals front office about Higgins, who has already parted ways with his old agent, switching to the same reps as Ja’Marr Chase. The trio has reportedly committed to finding a way to stick together for the long term.

While the usual offseason trade and free agent speculation won’t have a choice but to bring up the Bengals alongside top wideouts like this, fans have to find it comforting that this isn’t something they have to worry about much at this point.

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Cincinnati Bengals linked to Pittsburgh Steelers defender in free agency

Another free agency idea for the Bengals includes a Steelers standout.

The Cincinnati Bengals will bring plenty of new faces to the team this offseason via free agency and the draft, especially on the defensive side of the ball, with a new coordinator on the way.

So, who are some of the names the Bengals could look to bring in via free agency?

One hails from the rival Pittsburgh Steelers, as Bleacher Report’s Kristopher Knox has named the Bengals a fit for cornerback Donte Jackson:

Jackson, who was a largely reliable starter in Carolina as well, recorded eight passes defended and five interceptions in 2024 while allowing an opposing passer rating of just 69.9 in coverage. He may not be an elite cover corner, but he’s an underrated tackle in run support and has tremendous ball skills.

Jackson, a former second-round pick, was introduced to AFC North football this year as part of the Diontae Johnson trade and will turn 30 next year.

Written another way, he’s ideal for the Bengals — they’ll be looking for short-term veteran help. Both Dax Hill and DJ Turner are coming back from injuries and long-term unknowns, while it’s hard to say what they will do with Cam Taylor-Britt from here.

As a whole, Jackson is certainly a name to keep in mind for the Bengals when the market opens.

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Cincinnati Bengals named fit for Buffalo Bills star in free agency

Should the Bengals have eyes on this free agent in the offseason?

The Cincinnati Bengals hit the offseason with plenty of roster needs and could attack free agency in a big way.

One of those positions they look to address could be cornerback, especially with a new defensive coordinator on the way to town at some point.

Bleacher Report’s Kristopher Knox recently suggested the Bengals should target Buffalo Bills corner standout Rasul Douglas, his 17th overall impending free agent out of 50:

The Bills acquired cornerback Rasul Douglas in a 2023 trade with the Packers. Though he suffered a torn MCL last season, he didn’t miss a game for Buffalo and proved to be a quality starter on the perimeter. He allowed an opposing passer rating of only 38.6 in coverage.

A veteran primed for a prove-it deal is indeed probably where the Bengals will land in free agency at the position.

The Bengals hope they have something in former first-rounder Dax Hill, but he’s working back from a season-ending injury. Cam Taylor-Britt just had a disaster of a season and DJ Turner might have upside, but is also coming back from an injury.

A stopgap like Douglas, plus at least one draft pick added to the mix, would make sense.

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Cam Taylor-Britt, Travis Kelce involved in Bengals vs. Chiefs spat

Some Bengals vs. Chiefs trash talk made the rounds ahead of the NFL playoffs.

The Cincinnati Bengals didn’t get another shot at the Kansas City Chiefs this season because they fell short of the playoffs at 9-8.

Along the way, fans pointed out on social media that the Chiefs didn’t play starters during their Week 18 loss to the Denver Broncos, which let their AFC West rival slip into the playoffs instead of the Bengals.

While the No. 1 seed resting starters before a postseason run isn’t all that unusual, the fan feedback eventually worked its way to Chiefs tight end Travis Kelce.

Kelce had a few things to say about it.

“I ain’t scared of [expletive] nobody,” Kelce said on the “New Heights” podcast.. “I wanted them in the [expletive] playoffs. I want to slay every dragon one by one, like Mortal Kombat. I don’t even want this to be like we play the lowest seed. Just give me the best teams. AFC, NFC, give me all of them, Mortal Kombat-style. I’ll go through every [expletive] one of them just giving them my best [expletive] effort. I ain’t scared of a single soul, man.

Bengals cornerback Cam Taylor-Britt then caught wind of that and sent a reply during his Instagram stories:

 

It’s all silly noise, really. But if nothing else, it shows that this rivalry is alive and well, no questions asked.

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Bengals issue statement on Jermaine Burton accusation report

An update on Bengals WR Jermaine Burton.

Cincinnati Bengals rookie wide receiver Jermaine Burton has been accused of assaulting his girlfriend, although no charges have been filed.

According to Sharon Coolidge, Cameron Knight, and Kelsey Conway of the Cincinnati Enquirer, Cincinnati police reports show that an assault was reported on December 30 involving Burton. The writeup includes details found on a recording of a 911 call and two reports after a public records request.

According to the Cincinnati Enquirer, the Bengals issued this statement on the topic: “We are aware of information related to Jermaine Burton. We will continue to evaluate as we gather additional details and will have no further comment at this time.”

Before Cincinnati’s Week 18 season finale against the Pittsburgh Steelers, the Bengals announced Burton wasn’t permitted to travel with the team, but didn’t say why. Conway reported that weekend that Burton had also been served an eviction notice.

Red flags that caused Burton to fall to the third round of the draft chased him into the season, where he struggled to get up to speed. When Tee Higgins missed time in November and the rookie was a big part of a gameplan for the first time, Burton got in hot water for reportedly no-showing a Saturday walkthrough, to the point teammates sent public messages his way after team discipline. He was just starting to become a core member of the special teams unit before the Week 18 setback.

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