The 2025 season was the Cincinnati Bengals' 56th in the National Football League (NFL), their 58th overall, their 26th playing their home games at Paycor Stadium, and their seventh under head coach Zac Taylor. The Bengals failed to improve on their 9–8 record from the last two seasons following a Week 12 loss to the eventual AFC champion New England Patriots, and instead went 6–11 for their worst season since 2020. Like the previous year, their defense is ranked last at 32nd in most statistical categories. They also missed the playoffs for the third straight year after a week 15 shutout loss to their division rival Baltimore Ravens. The Bengals played on Thanksgiving for the first time since 2010.
Despite a 2-0 start, in Week 2 against the Jacksonville Jaguars, quarterback Joe Burrow suffered a turf toe injury and was put on injured reserve. As such, for the third time in Burrow’s six years with the team, he could not start for much of the regular season; the Bengals went 1–8 without him. Burrow returned as the starting quarterback in Week 13 on Thanksgiving night, in a giant 32–14 upset win over the Ravens. The Bengals started 4–8 for the second straight year. After a loss to the Buffalo Bills, the Bengals fell to 4–9, guaranteeing their first losing record since 2020. This season was also Joe Flacco's first season making the Pro Bowl games.
Offseason Free agents
Below are players whose contracts with the team expired after the 2024 season. Position Player 2025 Team Notes LS Cal Adomitis RFA Cincinnati Bengals 1 year, $1.1 million LB Joe Bachie UFA Indianapolis Colts 1 year, $1.17 million S Vonn Bell UFA T Trent Brown UFA Houston Texans 1 year, $3 million LB Akeem Davis-Gaither UFA Arizona Cardinals2 years, $10 million RB Chris Evans UFA T Cody Ford UFA Cincinnati Bengals 2 years, $6 million TE Mike Gesicki UFA Cincinnati Bengals 3 years, $25.5 million RB Khalil Herbert UFA Indianapolis Colts1 year, $1.337 million WR Tee Higgins UFA Cincinnati Bengals 4 years, $115 million DT B.J. Hill UFA Cincinnati Bengals3 years, $33 million CB Mike Hilton UFA Miami Dolphins TBA TE Tanner Hudson UFA Cincinnati Bengals 1 year, $1.2 million G Jaxson Kirkland ERFA Cincinnati Bengals 1 year, $960k DE Joseph Ossai UFA Cincinnati Bengals1 year, $6.5 million P Ryan Rehkow ERFA Cincinnati Bengals 2 years, $2.035 million DE Cameron Sample UFA Cincinnati Bengals1 year, $1.225 million T D'Ante Smith UFA DT Jay Tufele UFA New York Jets 1 year, $1.17 million RB Trayveon Williams UFA New England Patriots 1 year, $1.17 million CB Marco Wilson UFA Cincinnati Bengals1 year, $1.5 million QB Logan Woodside UFA Cincinnati Bengals 1 year, $1.17 million K Cade York ERFA
Signings Position Player 2024 Team Date signed ContractRBSamaje PerineKansas City ChiefsMarch 132 years, $3.6 millionDTTedarrell SlatonGreen Bay PackersMarch 132 years, $14.1 millionLBOren BurksPhiladelphia EaglesMarch 172 years, $5 millionGLucas PatrickNew Orleans SaintsMarch 211 year, $2.1 millionLBJoe Giles-HarrisJacksonville JaguarsApril 91 year, $1.1 millionTENoah FantSeattle SeahawksJuly 211 year, $2.75 million
Extensions Below are players who are under contract through 2025 and received a contract extension. Position Player Date signed Notes WR Ja'Marr Chase March 17 4 years, $161 million
Releases Position Player Date released 2025 Team DT Sheldon Rankins February 21 Houston Texans G Alex Cappa March 3 Las Vegas Raiders LB Germaine Pratt June 9 Las Vegas Raiders RB Zack Moss July 30
Retirements Position Player Date Retired DE Sam Hubbard March 5
Draft
+ 2025 Cincinnati Bengals draft selections Round Selection Player Position College Notes 1 17Shemar StewartDETexas A&M 2 49Demetrius KnightLBSouth Carolina 3 81Dylan FairchildGGeorgia 4 119Barrett CarterLBClemson 5 153Jalen RiversGMiami 6 193Tahj BrooksRBTexas Tech 7 233 Traded to the Chicago Bears
Undrafted free agents + 2025 Cincinnati Bengals draft selections Name Position College Ref. Quali Conley RB Arizona Eric Gregory DT Arkansas Payton Thorne QB Auburn Caleb Etienne OT BYU Jamoi Mayes WR Cincinnati Jordan Moore WR Duke Dante Barnett DT IPP William Wagner LS Michigan Howard Cross III DT Notre Dame Seth McLaughlin C Ohio State Rashod Owens WR Oklahoma State Shaquan Loyal SS Rutgers Bralyn Lux CB Texas Tech Kole Taylor TE West Virginia
Draft trades
Staff
Final roster
Preseason The Bengals' preseason opponents and schedule was announced in May, in conjunction with the release of the regular season schedule.
Week Date Opponent Result Record Venue Recap 1 at Philadelphia Eagles L 27–34 0–1 Lincoln Financial Field Recap 2 at Washington Commanders W 31–17 1–1 Northwest Stadium Recap 3 Indianapolis Colts L 14–41 1–2 Paycor Stadium Recap
Regular season Schedule Week Date Opponent Result Record Venue Recap 1 September 7 at Cleveland Browns W 17–16 1–0 Huntington Bank Field Recap 2 September 14 Jacksonville Jaguars W 31–27 2–0 Paycor Stadium Recap 3 September 21 at Minnesota Vikings L 10–48 2–1 U.S. Bank Stadium Recap 4 at Denver Broncos L 3–28 2–2 Empower Field at Mile High Recap 5 October 5 Detroit Lions L 24–37 2–3 Paycor Stadium Recap 6 October 12 at Green Bay Packers L 18–27 2–4 Lambeau Field Recap 7 Pittsburgh Steelers W 33–31 3–4 Paycor Stadium Recap 8 October 26 New York Jets L 38–39 3–5 Paycor Stadium Recap 9 November 2 Chicago Bears L 42–47 3–6 Paycor Stadium Recap 10 Bye 11 November 16 at Pittsburgh Steelers L 12–34 3–7 Acrisure Stadium Recap 12 November 23 New England Patriots L 20–26 3–8 Paycor Stadium Recap 13 November 27 at Baltimore Ravens W 32–14 4–8 M&T Bank Stadium Recap 14 December 7 at Buffalo Bills L 34–39 4–9 Highmark Stadium Recap 15 December 14 Baltimore Ravens L 0–24 4–10 Paycor Stadium Recap 16 December 21 at Miami Dolphins W 45–21 5–10 Hard Rock Stadium Recap 17 December 28 Arizona Cardinals W 37–14 6–10 Paycor Stadium Recap 18 January 4 Cleveland Browns L 18–20 6–11 Paycor Stadium Recap Note: Intra-division opponents are in bold text.
Game summaries Week 1: at Cleveland Browns
With the win, the Bengals won their first Week 1 game since 2021.
Week 2: vs. Jacksonville Jaguars
With the win, the Bengals started 2–0 for the first time since 2018. However, the team suffered a major blow as quarterback Joe Burrow suffered a Grade 3 turf toe injury in the second quarter which resulting in him missing the next nine games and required surgery. Backup quarterback Jake Browning stepped in to finish the game, securing the win. Thereafter, Browning was announced as the Bengals' starting quarterback in Burrow's absence, and head coach Zac Taylor said that the team has full confidence in him. Burrow underwent successful turf toe surgery on September 19. He did not return until Thanksgiving against Baltimore in Week 13.
Week 3: at Minnesota Vikings
The 38-point margin defeat marked the worst loss in Bengals franchise history. With the horrific loss, Cincinnati fell to 2–1 and 0–1 against the NFC North.
Week 4: at Denver Broncos
With their second straight blowout loss, the Bengals dropped to 2–2.
Week 5: vs. Detroit Lions
With the loss, the Bengals fell to 2–3 and were defeated by the Lions for the first time since the 1992 season, ending a seven-game winning streak against them.
Following the loss, the Bengals released practice quarterback Mike White and acquired quarterback Joe Flacco via a trade with the Browns. Flacco was announced as the new starting quarterback for the Bengals the next day, and Jake Browning returned to a backup quarterback position.
Week 6: at Green Bay Packers
Similar to the Packers' Week 3 meeting with the Browns, the Packers were up with a lead at halftime, but Flacco managed to rally to keep closer, except it led to the Packers getting their revenge on a missed 56-yard field goal from McPherson.
With the close loss, the Bengals were handed their fourth straight loss and now sit at 2–4.
Week 7: vs. Pittsburgh Steelers
Snapping their 4 game losing streak, the Bengals returned home for a Thursday Night Football win against their division rival Pittsburgh Steelers. With the win, the Bengals improved to 3–4, and beat the Steelers at home for the first time since 2021.
Week 8: vs. New York Jets
The Bengals started strong and entered the fourth quarter leading 31–16. After both teams exchanged touchdowns, Cincinnati held a 38–24 lead with 10:21 remaining. However, the Bengals’ defense allowed the Jets to score two unanswered touchdowns, including a touchdown pass from running back Breece Hall to tight end Mason Taylor, giving New York a one-point lead. The Bengals attempted a late comeback but turned the ball over on downs, as the Jets earned their first win of the season and became the last team in the NFL to record a victory. The Bengals’ defense struggled, allowing the Jets to finish with 502 total yards of offense, including 254 rushing yards.
Week 9: vs. Chicago Bears
After another close battle, the Bears appeared to seal the game when wide receiver D. J. Moore scored a 16-yard touchdown to make it 41–27 with 4:53 remaining. However, Joe Flacco led the Bengals on a four-play touchdown drive that concluded with a 23-yard touchdown pass to Noah Fant with 1:43 left. Tee Higgins then caught a two-point conversion to trim the Bears’ lead to 41–35. The Bengals successfully executed an onside kick that deflected off the leg of Bears linebacker Daniel Hardy and was recovered by Joseph Ossai. With 49 seconds remaining, the Bengals took a one-point lead after Flacco threw a nine-yard touchdown pass to Andrei Iosivas. On the ensuing drive, Bears quarterback Caleb Williams connected with tight ends Colston Loveland for a 58-yard touchdown with 17 seconds left, giving Chicago a 47–42 victory and thwarting the Bengals’ comeback attempt. Despite Flacco throwing for a career-high 470 yards and leading the Bengals to 42 points, Cincinnati’s defense struggled once again, allowing the Bears to accumulate 576 total yards of offense. With yet another defensive collapse, the Bengals suffered their 4th loss to Chicago since 2013 to fall to 3–6 entering their bye week, while also getting swept by the NFC North.
Week 11: at Pittsburgh Steelers
With a sluggish performance, the Bengals fell to 3–7 and 2–1 against the AFC North.
During the game, Ja’Marr Chase reportedly spat on Steelers cornerback Jalen Ramsey, who retaliated by punching him and was ejected shortly afterward. Chase denied spitting on Ramsey, and the following day, he was suspended for one game. Chase attempted to appeal his suspension, but the NFL denied his appeal. Ramsey was later fined $14,491 for punching Chase. Chase later apologized after the incident.
Week 12: vs. New England Patriots
On the final play of the opening half, Bengals kicker Evan McPherson converted a 63-yard field goal, setting a new Bengals franchise record for the longest field goal. It wouldn't be enough for the Bengals to avoid their second straight loss to the Patriots, which dropped them to 3–8 and 0–2 against the AFC East.
Week 13: at Baltimore Ravens Thanksgiving Day games
This was Cincinnati's first game on Thanksgiving since 2010. It was also announced that Joe Burrow would likely return sooner after his turf toe injury in Week 2 and play on Thanksgiving night. Joe Burrow later confirmed that he would start on Thanksgiving night. With Burrow's return now official, Joe Flacco went to a backup quarterback position. Burrow completed 24-of-46 pass attempts for 261 yards and two touchdowns. Ja'Marr Chase, returning from a one-game suspension, recorded seven receptions for 110 yards. Evan McPherson also recorded six field goals, the most in his career, and tied for the second-most in Bengals history. The Ravens committed four fumbles, including two by quarterback Lamar Jackson, all of which contributed to a Bengals victory. With the win, the Bengals improved to 4–8 (3–1 against the AFC North) and won on Thanksgiving for the first time in franchise history.