Sports Illustrated Names Bengals as Part of the Good, Bad and Ugly of 2025 NFL Offseason

Not where you want to be.

Cincinnati Bengals defensive tackle B.J. Hill (92) demonstrates a drill to teammates during practice, Tuesday, May 6, 2025, at the Kettering Health Practice Field in Downtown Cincinnati. | Frank Bowen IV/The Enquirer / USA TODAY NETWORK via Imagn Images

CINCINNATI — Sports Illustrated's Matt Verdarame dropped a look at the Good, Bad, and Ugly of the 2025 NFL offseason. His criticism of the Bengals continued with the defense landing in his "bad" group.

Verdarame is not optimistic about the unit turning around under Al Golden.

"The Cincinnati Bengals are going to be an amazing case study in how far three players can get a team," Verdarame wrote. "Cincinnati did what many thought it wouldn’t and gave massive, nine-figure extensions to receivers Ja’Marr Chase and Tee Higgins. However, the Bengals also failed to address the league’s 25th-ranked defense in any meaningful way, save for using their first-round pick on defensive end Shemar Stewart.

"However, Stewart not only remains unsigned after a prolonged contractual dispute with the team, but he also delivered strong words through the media while at minicamp before leaving early. Then there’s the matter of fellow edge rusher Trey Hendrickson threatening to hold out for the entire campaign if he doesn’t get a lucrative extension. All told, the Bengals have an offense capable of scoring 30 points per game. That might not be enough based on the defensive depth chart and new coordinator Al Golden, who has no experience at his current position on the NFL level."

The Bengals rely on hope for a lot of things and this inclusion is another example of hope in Al Golden carrying much of the optimistic view (if any) for this unit.

Cincinnati added TJ Slaton as its only big addition to the defense, a unit that as of now, doesn't have its best player or 2025 first-round pick in the mix.

For more on the Bengals, subscribe to our YouTube Channel and watch the video below as part of our in-depth coverage of the team:

Make sure you bookmark BengalsTalk.com for the latest Bengals news, exclusive interviews, insight, film breakdowns and so much more!

You May Also Like:

Look: Cincinnati Bengals First Round Pick Shemar Stewart Wears Uniform for First Time

Stat of the Jay: ROH Finalist Max Montoya Ranks Third in Team History in Impressive Category

Germaine Pratt Deserved Better From the Bengals, but That Just Makes Him the Newest Member of a Large Club

Report: Cincinnati Bengals Releasing Veteran Defender Germaine Pratt

Cincinnati Bengals Should Bolster Roster By Signing Recently Released Veteran Jaire Alexander

Key Piece of Cincinnati Bengals' Failures Make List of Top Negative Narratives That Could Change in 2025

Cincinnati Bengals' Top Defenders Near Bottom of NFL in Latest Rankings

Vice President JD Vance Weighs in on Trey Hendrickson's Future, Contract Talks With Cincinnati Bengals

Look: Former Bengals Star Adam 'Pacman' Jones Releases Statement After Latest Arrest

Look: Bengals 2020s Draft Haul Ranked Among Bottom-Half of NFL Teams

Watch: Cincinnati Bengals Star Ja'Marr Chase Makes One-Handed Catch During Practice

NFL's Vice President of Broadcast Planning Mike North Weighs in on Cincinnati Bengals Schedule

ESPN's Bill Barnwell Gives Bengals Dubious Offseason Superlative Surrounding Trey Hendrickson

Watch: Bengals Stars Tee Higgins, and B.J. Hill Hit Gun Range Together During Offseason

Look: Joe Burrow Stands Alone In Key Passing Categories Over Past Few Seasons

Stat of the Jay: Where Does Bengals' Short Travel Schedule This Year Rank Historically?

It's Time for Cincinnati Bengals to Make Decision About Trey Hendrickson's Future

Takeaways From What Bengals DE Trey Hendrickson Said While Airing His Grievances at Bengals Practice

The Cincinnati Bengals Have Reason To Celebrate Finishing Last in the League When It Comes to This Stat

'Not Going To Apologize' - Trey Hendrickson Discusses His Market Value Amidst DE Contract Landscape

'It's Become Personal, Unfortunately' - Trey Hendrickson States He Won't Play During 2025 Season On Current Deal

Stat of the Jay: How Many Teams Have Longer International Droughts Than the Bengals at 6 Seasons?

Cincinnati Bengals NFL Draft Conference Calls: Hear From All Six Picks!

Look: Cincinnati Bengals Bolster Trenches, Add Intriguing Prospects in Undrafted Free Agency

Cincinnati Bengals Make Questionable Decision in First Round of 2025 NFL Draft

Dan Pitcher, Bengals 'Feel Great' About Offensive Line Following Two Additions in 2025 NFL Draft

Major Outlets Give Bengals Rough Grades For 2025 NFL Draft Class

'It Was Awesome' - Dylan Fairchild Describes First Contact With Joe Burrow

Cincinnati Bengals Appear Poised to Address Big Need in First Round of 2025 NFL Draft

Possible Cincinnati Bengals NFL Draft Target Jihaad Campbell Expected to be Cleared for Training Camp

NFL.com's Daniel Jeremiah Voices "Love" Pick for Bengals By Pointing to Specific Matchup

Bengals, Hamilton County Reach Important MOU in Stadium Lease Negotiations

-----

Join the 46,000+ Bengals fans who subscribe to us on YouTube.

Follow us on Twitter: @BengalsTalkSI

Like Our Facebook Page

Subscribe and follow the ONLY Daily Bengals Podcast

Follow on TikTok