The Cincinnati Bengals seem to be missing their window.
On a recent episode of “Get Up,” Ryan Clark, a former Steelers safety and current NFL analyst for ESPN, expressed concern that the Bengals are squandering Joe Burrow’s peak years.
“Absolutely,” Clark replied affirmatively when host Mike Greenberg prompted whether he felt the Bengals were wasting Burrow’s prime years.
“If you think about that game from Monday night, especially considering how things unfolded early last season, it feels like teams are gaining yardage against the Bengals like David Goggins running a marathon,” he added.
While they’ve managed to re-sign standout receivers Ja’Marr Chase and Tee Higgins, the Bengals haven’t made significant strides in boosting their defense, and Burrow is currently in a contract dispute with star pass rusher Trey Hendrickson.
Hendrickson, who recorded 17.5 sacks last season, is holding out during training camp, while other players are also working under similar conditions in search of new deals.
Clark mentioned that Burrow took the field during the preseason because he was aware the defense might struggle to contain opposing offenses, and he needs to prepare himself for a demanding season ahead.
After playing Burrow for three drives in their last game, the Bengals are drawing criticism.
“Seeing this unfold in preseason has to make you feel uneasy,” Clark remarked. “I’ve had games where I’ve seen scores like 35, 38, or even 41 points—only to still end up losing.”
Last season, Cincinnati allowed an average of 25.5 points per game and ranked 25th in the league.
Zac Taylor’s squad also lost five games in which the opposing teams scored at least 27 points.
Hendrickson’s contract negotiations seem to be stagnant, and he might be willing to hold out if necessary.
There’s still a chance the Bengals could explore trading him.
Hendrickson has tallied 17.5 sacks over the past two seasons, anchoring a defense that was often struggling around him.
Burrow led the NFL in passing yards in 2024, throwing for 4,918 yards and 43 touchdowns against just nine interceptions, all while the Bengals finished with a 9-8 record and missed out on the playoffs.
