The Cincinnati Bengals failed to meet expectations as they finished with a 6-11 record. Their record marked their worst since the 2020 season, when quarterback Joe Burrow tore his ACL and missed the second half of the season. Despite Burrow once again missing time, the season can only be looked at as a disappointment as the Bengals have missed the postseason for the third consecutive season.
After a Super Bowl appearance in the 2021 season and an AFC Championship appearance in the 2022 season, things appeared to be looking up for Cincinnati. However, the team has failed to reach those marks again as they have gone 24-27 since. Despite this, team president and owner Mike Brown decided against making any major changes as he released a statement that confirmed the return of general manager Duke Tobin and head coach Zac Taylor. Brown shared confidence that since the pair led them to the Super Bowl in 2021, they could do so once again.
Cincinnati Bengals Pro Bowl WR Tee Higgins Sends Strong Message
When the Bengals reached the Super Bowl in 2021, the core players that got them there were in the early stages of their careers. Joe Burrow and Tee Higgins were second-year players, while Ja’Marr Chase was just a rookie. While it gave them a learning experience, it also gave them expectations of what they could achieve. Four seasons later, the trio has yet to reach that stage again. A failure to meet expectations only increases frustration for the players and now, Tee Higgins has expressed his feelings after a disappointing season.
Higgins spoke about feeling locked in on improving, as he said, “I definitely think it will be more on the hyper-focused side than, you know, pissed off. Obviously, we’re pretty upset we haven’t made the playoffs in a long time, but I think it’s more hyper-focused because most of the guys on the offensive side of the ball are coming back.”
Higgins does make a strong point when mentioning that most of the offense will return. The previously mentioned trio of Burrow, Higgins and Chase were 4-2 in the six games they played together in the 2025 season. Unfortunately for Cincinnati, injuries prevented them from playing an entire season together.
The first-time Pro Bowl wide receiver also shared confidence in the team going forward, saying, “I feel like we’ll be OK and make that run late in the season.”
Tee Higgins’ 2025 Season
Higgins 2025 season was a year of ups and downs. He set a new career-high with 11 receiving touchdowns this season, but he also failed to reach the 1,000-yard mark for the third consecutive season. He was selected to the Pro Bowl for the first-time in his career, but he also missed two games this season as he dealt with two concussions late in the year.
Ultimately, Higgins got what most wanted this season, and that was a contract that would keep him in Cincinnati. Prior to the season, Higgins signed a four-year, $115 million contract with the Bengals. Despite the lack of playoff berths in recent memory, Bengals fans can at least enjoy watching one of the top offensive trios in the NFL.
Bengals Pro Bowl Player Sends Strong Message After Season