Cincinnati Bengals 2025: Roster, Players, Schedule, Super Bowl Wins, and More

The Cincinnati Bengals are a professional American football team based in Cincinnati, Ohio. They compete in the NFL as a member of the AFC North division. Founded in 1968, the team has made multiple playoff appearances and reached the Super Bowl three times. Known for their passionate fan base and tiger-striped helmets, the Bengals are led by star quarterback Joe Burrow.

Overview of the Cincinnati Bengals

Historical Background of the Cincinnati Bengals

The Cincinnati Bengals are a professional football team playing in the North Division of the AFC (American Football Conference) of the NFL. Along with the Baltimore Ravens, the Cleveland Browns, and the Pittsburgh Steelers. Known for their passionate fanbase, boasting the iconic "Who Dey?" chant and fight song 'The Bengals Growl', as well as their official mascot, a tiger named Who Dey.

Originating from the "Hu-Dey" beer released by Hudepohl Brewing in 1981, which featured a tiger face, stripes, and the chant "Who dey think gonna beat dem Bengals? The full chant is "Who Dey? Who Dey? Who Dey think they gonna beat dem Bengals?" with fans responding "Nobody!" The Bengals play their home games at Paycor Stadium (formerly Paul Brown Stadium) in Cincinnati. The Bengals' current uniforms feature orange, black, or white jerseys with tiger stripes and black or white pants. 

The Bengals joined the American Football League (AFL) as an expansion team in 1968. Paul Brown, who had become one of the most respected coaches in the game at the helm of the Cleveland Browns, was one of the franchise’s founders and its first head coach. Cincinnati was a member of the AFL for just two seasons before the league merged with the NFL in 1970. The Bengals’ maiden year in the NFL saw the team post its first winning record and earn a playoff spot as the AFC Central champion.

That same year, the team began to play in Riverfront Stadium, a multipurpose venue they would share with baseball’s Cincinnati Reds for the following 30 years. The Cincinnati Bengals defeated the San Diego Chargers, 27-7, in the 1981 AFC Championship, which was the coldest game in NFL history in terms of wind chill at -37 degrees.

Notable Milestones and Achievements

• Founded in 1968 as an expansion team in the American Football League (AFL), before joining the NFL in 1970 as part of the AFL-NFL merger.
• Recorded their first playoff appearance in 1970 under head coach Paul Brown, making them the fastest expansion team to reach the postseason at the time.
• Won their first AFC Championship in 1981, advancing to Super Bowl XVI, where they lost to the San Francisco 49ers 26-21. Led by quarterback Ken Anderson, the Bengals fought back from a 20-0 deficit but fell short in the end.
• Returned to the Super Bowl in the 1988 season, winning their second AFC Championship and advancing to Super Bowl XXIII. The Bengals, led by quarterback Boomer Esiason, lost a heartbreaking game to the San Francisco 49ers 20-16 after a last-minute drive by Joe Montana.
• Super Bowl LVI Appearance (2021): The Bengals, led by quarterback Joe Burrow and head coach Zac Taylor, made a remarkable turnaround after finishing 4-11-1 in 2020. They won the AFC North, defeated the Kansas City Chiefs in the AFC Championship, and advanced to Super Bowl LVI, where they lost to the Los Angeles Rams 23-20.
• Earned 12 division titles, including back-to-back AFC North championships in 2021 and 2022 under Zac Taylor and Joe Burrow.
• First playoff win in 31 years: After years of postseason struggles, the Bengals ended their drought in 2021, defeating the Las Vegas Raiders in the AFC Wild Card round.
• Ja'Marr Chase won the NFL Offensive Rookie of the Year award in 2021 after setting a new franchise single-season receiving record (1,455 yards).
• Trey Hendrickson led the NFL in sacks (17.5) in 2024, earning First-Team All-Pro honors.
• Paycor Stadium remains one of the toughest places to play, with the "Jungle" atmosphere providing a strong home-field advantage.

The Bengals continue to build toward their first Super Bowl victory, with a strong core led by Joe Burrow, Ja'Marr Chase, and Trey Hendrickson.

Cincinnati Bengals Notable Coaches and Players

The Cincinnati Bengals have their Hall of Fame decked with elite players and coaches. Some of their most notable coaches and players are:

• Paul Brown (1968–1975) – The Bengals’ founder and first head coach, Brown built the franchise from scratch and led them to three playoff appearances. His impact on the game of football remains legendary.
• Sam Wyche (1984–1991) – The architect of the Bengals’ high-powered no-huddle offense, Wyche guided Cincinnati to Super Bowl XXIII in 1988. His innovative approach influenced modern offensive strategies.
• Marvin Lewis (2003–2018) – The longest-tenured coach in Bengals history, Lewis turned the franchise into a consistent playoff team, leading them to seven postseason appearances. His defensive expertise helped reshape Cincinnati’s identity.
• Zac Taylor (2019–present) – After a slow start, Taylor transformed the Bengals into an AFC powerhouse. He led them to Super Bowl LVI in 2021 and back-to-back AFC Championship appearances in 2021 and 2022. His partnership with Joe Burrow has been crucial to the team’s resurgence.
• Joe Burrow (Quarterback, 2020–present) – The first overall pick in the 2020 NFL Draft, Burrow became the face of the franchise, leading the Bengals to Super Bowl LVI in just his second season. His leadership, accuracy, and clutch performances have made him one of the NFL’s top quarterbacks.
• Ja'Marr Chase (Wide Receiver, 2021–present) – Burrow’s favorite target, Chase won Offensive Rookie of the Year (2021) and has established himself as one of the league’s premier wide receivers. He played a crucial role in the Bengals’ Super Bowl LVI run.
• Tee Higgins (Wide Receiver, 2020–present) – A dynamic playmaker opposite Chase, Higgins has been a consistent deep threat and red-zone weapon for Cincinnati. His size, route-running, and strong hands make him one of the best No. 2 receivers in the league.
• Trey Hendrickson (Defensive End, 2021–present) – Since joining the Bengals in free agency, Hendrickson has been a dominant pass-rusher, earning multiple Pro Bowl selections and playing a key role in Cincinnati’s defensive success.
• Logan Wilson (Linebacker, 2020–present) – The leader of the Bengals’ defense, Wilson is known for his tackling ability and playmaking in coverage. He made a crucial interception in the 2021 AFC Championship Game to help send Cincinnati to the Super Bowl.

Major rivalries of the Cincinnati Bengals

The Bengals have fierce competition with these teams, often impacting their playoff aspirations, as they are all from the same division, the AFC North.

• The Bengals–Ravens rivalry has been fiercely competitive. Notably, in the 2022 AFC Wild Card game, the Bengals secured a 24–17 victory over the Ravens, highlighted by Sam Hubbard's 98-yard fumble return for a touchdown, the longest in NFL postseason history. 
• The Bengals–Steelers rivalry has seen numerous intense matchups. In December 2024, controversy arose when Steelers' linebacker T.J. Watt was accused of intentionally twisting Bengals' quarterback Joe Burrow's ankle during a game, raising questions about sportsmanship. 

• Known as the "Battle of Ohio," the Bengals–Browns rivalry continues to be significant. In December 2024, the Bengals defeated the Browns 24-6, completing their first season sweep of Cleveland since 2017 and keeping their playoff hopes alive.

Major Contracts of the Cincinnati Bengals in 2025

The Cincinnati Bengals have strategically secured key players through significant contract agreements to maintain a competitive roster for the 2025 NFL season. Below is an overview of these major contracts:

• Joe Burrow (Quarterback): In 2024, Burrow signed a five-year, $275 million extension, making him the highest-paid player in NFL history at that time.
• Ja'Marr Chase (Wide Receiver): In March 2025, Chase agreed to a four-year, $161 million extension, with $112 million guaranteed, setting a record for the highest average annual salary for a non-quarterback.
• Tee Higgins (Wide Receiver): Also in March 2025, Higgins signed a four-year, $115 million extension, ensuring the continuation of the Bengals' dynamic receiving duo.
• Trey Hendrickson (Defensive End): Entering the final year of his contract, Hendrickson has expressed dissatisfaction with extension negotiations and has been granted permission to seek a trade.
• Orlando Brown Jr. (Offensive Tackle): Signed a four-year, $64.092 million contract in 2023, with a 2025 cap hit of $15.034 million.
• Logan Wilson (Linebacker): Agreed to a four-year extension worth up to $37.25 million in 2023, with a 2025 base salary of $5.368 million.
• B.J. Hill (Defensive Tackle): Re-signed in 2025 to a three-year, $33 million deal, with $11 million guaranteed.
• Germaine Pratt (Linebacker): Signed a three-year, $20.25 million contract in 2023, including a $7 million signing bonus.
• Geno Stone (Safety): Signed a two-year contract through the 2025 season, with a 2025 cap charge of $7.975 million.
• Mike Gesicki (Tight End): Signed a three-year contract extension in March 2025, following a productive 2024 season with 65 receptions for 665 yards.
• Joseph Ossai (Defensive End): Re-signed for the 2025 season on a one-year, $6.5 million contract, with $3 million guaranteed.
• Ted Karras (Center): Extended his contract in 2024 to play through the 2025 season, with a cap charge of $6.3 million in 2025.

Who Are the Starters for the Bengals’ 2025 Season?

As of now, the Cincinnati Bengals' projected starting lineup for the upcoming NFL season is as follows:

Offense

• Quarterback: Joe Burrow
• Running Back: Chase Brown
• Wide Receiver 1: Ja'Marr Chase
• Wide Receiver 2: Tee Higgins
• Slot Wide Receiver: Andrei Iosivas
• Tight End: Mike Gesicki
• Left Tackle: Orlando Brown Jr.
• Left Guard: Cordell Volson
• Center: Ted Karras
• Right Guard: Lucas Patrick
• Right Tackle: Cody Ford

Defense

• Left Defensive End: Joseph Ossai
• Defensive Tackle 1: B.J. Hill
• Defensive Tackle 2: D.J. Reader
• Right Defensive End: Trey Hendrickson
• Outside Linebacker (OLB) 1: Logan Wilson
• Inside Linebacker (ILB): Germaine Pratt
• Outside Linebacker (OLB) 2: Akeem Davis-Gaither
• Cornerback 1: Chidobe Awuzie
• Cornerback 2: Cam Taylor-Britt
• Free Safety: Dax Hill
• Strong Safety: Geno Stone

Special Teams

• Kicker: Evan McPherson
• Punter: Drue Chrisman
• Long Snapper: Cal Adomitis
• Kick Returner: Charlie Jones
• Punt Returner: Charlie Jones

Cincinnati Bengals Schedule

Hey Bengals fans! As of April 4, 2025, the official NFL schedule hasn't been released yet, which is expected in May. However, we do know who our Cincinnati Bengals will be facing in the upcoming season. Here's a sneak peek at the home and away matchups:

Home Games:

• Baltimore Ravens
• Cleveland Browns
• Pittsburgh Steelers
• New England Patriots
• New York Jets
• Chicago Bears
• Detroit Lions
• Jacksonville Jaguars
• Arizona Cardinals

Away Games:

• Baltimore Ravens
• Cleveland Browns
• Pittsburgh Steelers
• Buffalo Bills
• Miami Dolphins
• Green Bay Packers
• Minnesota Vikings
• Denver Broncos

We've got some exciting matchups both at home in Paycor Stadium and on the road. Notably, there's buzz about a potential international game against the Miami Dolphins in Madrid, Spain. Joe Burrow has expressed enthusiasm about the possibility, though nothing's set in stone yet.

Cincinnati Bengals Titbits

• Since drafting Joe Burrow in 2020, the Bengals have become a serious contender, reaching the Super Bowl in the 2021 season.
• Paycor Stadium, formerly Paul Brown Stadium, is nicknamed "The Jungle" and features a loud, passionate fanbase.
• The Bengals have intense rivalries with the Pittsburgh Steelers, Baltimore Ravens, and Cleveland Browns.

• DE Sam Hubbard recorded the longest fumble return touchdown in playoff history (98 yards) in a 2022 Wild Card game.
• In the 2021 season, the Bengals won their first playoff game since 1990, breaking a decades-long drought.
• Former wide receiver Chad "Ochocinco" Johnson was famous for his touchdown celebrations and bold personality.
• The Bengals' striped helmets are among the most recognizable in the NFL, featuring a tiger-stripe pattern.