Head coach Zac Taylor also kept the coaching staff in place, allowing Cincinnati to focus on personnel moves as free agency approaches. With the plan to improve the roster set, the organization appears committed to stabilizing its core around Burrow and his top receivers.
Tee Higgins will enter his first Pro Bowl after replacing Zay Flowers on the roster. He finished the 2025 season with 11 receiving touchdowns and 846 receiving yards, missing the 1,000-yard milestone for a third straight year due to missing two games and Burrow missing significant time.
Higgins attributed his production to facing multiple quarterbacks, saying it’s on him to make the most of opportunities when they arrive and to perform at a high level for which he’s compensated. His comments underscore the challenges of a season disrupted by quarterback changes and injuries.
The 2025 season was difficult for Cincinnati, culminating in their third consecutive missed postseason and their worst record since 2020. Higgins stressed the need to reflect in the offseason, return stronger, and formulate a plan to make a playoff push in 2026.
Despite the rough year, Chase and Higgins stood as the Bengals’ Pro Bowl selections, the only Cincinnati players to earn the honor. Burrow did not make the Pro Bowl, with Browns quarterback Shedeur Sanders earning a spot over him despite limited starts and a higher interception total—an arrangement some outlets noted but without formal confirmation.
As free agency nears, Cincinnati will continue to prioritize roster and personnel decisions to rebound from 2025 and position the team for a stronger run in 2026. The focus remains on maintaining the Burrow–Chase–Higgins nucleus while adding depth and playmakers around them.
