Former Bengals captain takes a jab at the team 👀

The Cincinnati Bengals’ latest reality check comes after consecutive trips to the Super Bowl and the AFC Championship, followed by three straight missed playoffs. Head coach Zac Taylor attributed the downturn to injuries, noting that losing the team’s highest-paid players on both sides of the ball “is challenging holistically.” Critics point to another clear issue: Cincinnati’s defense ranked among the league’s worst in recent seasons.

In 2024, the Bengals again struggled on defense, posting the eighth-worst scoring defense in the NFL. The team responded by firing defensive coordinator Lou Anarumo, who later joined the Colts as their defensive coordinator in 2025 and began receiving head-coaching interviews. Despite the continued defensive struggles, Cincinnati chose to keep defensive coordinator Al Golden.

Germaine Pratt, a 2019 third-round pick who started 88 games and served as a team captain for the Bengals, was released in 2024 to clear cap space as he entered the final year of his deal. Pratt later reunited with Anarumo with the Colts in 2025, but he publicly vented on social media, implying dissatisfaction with Cincinnati’s approach to the defensive line. Pratt’s post—“Sorry they won’t draft no dogs on the dline”—took aim at draft decisions, even as he posed with Anarumo after the season.

Pratt remains a free agent, and a reunion with the Bengals does not appear imminent. Pro Football Focus still rated him as the 39th-best linebacker in 2025, suggesting his market value isn’t likely to force a quick return to Cincinnati. The Bengals face a broader question of how to rebuild a disruptive presence on defense, especially along the line.

Looking ahead to the 2025 offseason, pass rush remains the top priority, according to ESPN. With All-Pro Trey Hendrickson potentially departing in free agency, Cincinnati will need to replenish the production and pressure opposite defensive ends. The Draft Network has already floated defensive lineman Peter Woods from Clemson as a possible first-round addition, arguing that the Bengals’ defense requires more talent—particularly at the edge and inside—to address a depleted rotation and improve the pass rush.

In summary, the Bengals must address significant defensive gaps while navigating potential departures and evaluating draft options to restore a competitive, top-tier unit. The combination of leadership stability, personnel moves, and strategic drafting will shape Cincinnati’s trajectory as the defense works to reclaim its identity.