While my focus is on the Pittsburgh Steelers and their future, I can’t help but look in awe at what the Bengals are doing. The divisional rival is just a few short years removed from a Super Bowl run, and now they look like they are ready to implode.
Just looking at the roster, you have to envy Cincinnati as a Steelers fan. They have a premier quarterback, an elite receiver room, and the core of their talent is still extremely young. This should be a team that is constantly discussed as a legitimate threat in the AFC.
However, they are a distant second to the Ravens in the AFC North, and there is a legitimate conversation that the Steelers will outplay them once again in 2025.
While the Bengals are one of the shiniest teams in the NFL, when you peel back some of the layers on the team, you notice the issues at hand. Instead of committing resources to covering those in hopes of another championship run, Cincinnati continues to allow itself to circle the drain.
The Pittsburgh Steelers can see the cracks forming with the Cincinnati Bengals
The Bengals are all meat and no potatoes. They have the star quarterback and a pair of dynamic receivers that are all paid handsomely, but beyond that, this is the same cheap organization that has held the team back in the past.
While the offense has some incredible talent, Cincinnati has continued to underinvest in the offensive line. While Amarius Mims will have a chance to solidify the right side of the line, the interior is either inexperienced or mediocre.
The defensive line is a similar story. While better than the offensive side of the ball, they lack the same sizzle that the stars on the offense have. As for the secondary, they have tried to draft there, but those players have yet to ascend to the star level the franchise had hoped for.
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A team can still compete like that, especially if players take some minor steps forward. Where they can’t get by is their current contract issues.
After handing out some massive deals to their own, they are now struggling with what to do with Trey Hendrickson. He rightfully wants a new deal after leading the NFL in sacks last year, and the Bengals currently have the money to afford him.
Instead of retaining that type of talent, they are refusing to budge on a new deal for one of their only star defenders. They tried to bring in some insurance with Shemar Stewart in the first round, but that has also led to massive issues surrounding the language in his contract.
Long story short, the Bengals seem like they could quickly fall apart like they did last season. This defense doesn’t look that much better on paper than last season, and while the offense can still be dynamic, they proved that wasn’t enough last year.
The Bengals are crumbling right now, and Steelers fans should take notice.