An injury to such a superstar offers some explanation for Cincinnati’s woes, but the Bengals also missed the playoffs when Burrow played every game in 2024, a cog of a defense unable to stop — or sometimes even slow — opponents.
The Bengals ranked 25th in both points and yards allowed last season, after they fired defensive coach Lou Anarumo.
This season, their rankings dropped to 30th in points allowed and 31st in yards allowed under DC Al Golden. The unit tightened up down the stretch, holding opponents to 24 or fewer points in five of its last six contests after doing so just once before, but it was still a dismal overall experience.
Cincy’s defense also dealt with an injury to its biggest star. Running back Trey Hendrickson, who had to re-sign with the team in late August following a contract dispute, missed 10 games.
Again, though, all teams struggle with injuries. Despite the respect in which Burrow and the rest of the Bengals’ top players are held, they haven’t seen the playoffs since the 2022 campaign and are coming off their first losing season since the quarterback’s rookie season in 2020.
“It was frustrating, it was challenging, it was disappointing for all of us, but more importantly, it was all of this for our fans,” Tobin said of the season. “We feel it. It weighs on us. It hurts us, because we know they have high expectations for us. … The team we put out there didn’t meet those expectations. It motivates us to be better to put a team out there that will make the city proud, that will finish games. It’s a lot of work for us to do this offseason.”
Tobin, who referred to Cincinnati’s defensive talent as “coming,” will have to help that process this offseason by filling the roster with more impactful players on that side of the ball. Expanding the offensive line is also important to ensure Burrow stays upright; His pass protection group was ranked 28th by PFF after the season.
The Bengals currently have the eighth-most cap space ($57.5 million) available, per Over The Cap, with eight 2026 draft picks, including the No. 10 overall pick.
They have the ability to jump back into the mix if Tobin pulls the right strings this offseason. But unlike what the manager said, a 6-11 squad doesn’t have the championship point. It remains to be seen whether the ’26 Bengals will end up closer to contending for a ring.
“All I can do is work our way out of it,” Tobin said. “We’ve done it before. … We can add to the team in a lot of different areas. We have great scouts that give us analysis. It’s up to us to make the right decisions.”