2025 Cincinnati Bengals season
The 2025 season was the Cincinnati Bengals' 56th in the National Football League, 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 New England Patriots. 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 loss to the Ravens. The Bengals played on [NFL on NFL on Thanksgiving Day|Thanksgiving Day|Thanksgiving] for the first time since 2010.
During a game 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 [2025 2025 Baltimore Ravens season|Baltimore Ravens season|Baltimore 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.
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 Cardinals | 2 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 Colts | 1 year, $1.337 million |
| WR | Tee Higgins | UFA | Cincinnati Bengals | 4 years, $115 million |
| DT | B.J. Hill | UFA | Cincinnati Bengals | 3 years, $33 million |
| CB | Mike Hilton | UFA | [2025 2025 Miami Dolphins season|Miami Dolphins season|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 Bengals | 1 year, $6.5 million |
| P | Ryan Rehkow | ERFA | Cincinnati Bengals | 2 years, $2.035 million |
| DE | Cameron Sample | UFA | Cincinnati Bengals | 1 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 Bengals | 1 year, $1.5 million |
| QB | Logan Woodside | UFA | Cincinnati Bengals | 1 year, $1.17 million |
| K | Cade York | ERFA |
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 |
Draft
Undrafted free agents
'''Draft trades'''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 | ||
| 2 | at Washington Commanders | W 31–17 | 1–1 | Northwest Stadium | ||
| 3 | Indianapolis Colts | L 14–41 | 1–2 | Paycor Stadium |
Regular season
Schedule
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 DJ 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 gamesThis 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 and won on Thanksgiving for the first time in franchise history.
The game was also the most-watched Thanksgiving night game in NFL history with an average of 28.4 million viewers across NBC, Peacock, and Telemundo.
Week 14: at Buffalo Bills
Although the Bengals held a 28–18 lead in the fourth quarter with 8:44 remaining, two interceptions thrown by Burrow ultimately doomed the team. The first was a pick-six returned by Bills cornerback Christian Benford, and the second set up a Bills touchdown that gave Buffalo a lead they never relinquished, resulting in a Bengals loss.With the loss, the Bengals were guaranteed to finish with a losing record for the first time since 2020.
Despite the loss, one of the few bright spots for the Bengals was when Ja'Marr Chase reached 1,000 receiving yards in each of the first five seasons of his career, becoming the fifth player in NFL history to do so.