It's been a wild ride for the Who Dey nation lately. Honestly, if you told me a year ago that we’d be looking at a depth chart featuring a Super Bowl MVP from a division rival stepping in to save a season, I’d have laughed. But here we are. The Cincinnati Bengals depth chart 2025 is a strange mix of "same old stars" and "who is that in the trenches?"
Basically, the 2025 season turned into a massive balancing act between paying the big three—Joe Burrow, Ja'Marr Chase, and Tee Higgins—and trying to find anyone else to play defense. If you've been following the news, you know it hasn't been all sunshine and skyline chili. Burrow’s injury early in the year threw a massive wrench into the gears, which is how we ended up with Joe Flacco under center for a stretch. Yeah, that really happened.
The Quarterback Room: Stability Meets Chaos
Most people think the Bengals' season begins and ends with Joe Burrow. While that’s mostly true, 2025 proved that the backup spot is just as vital. Burrow entered the year with high hopes, but a "major turf toe surgery" (which some blame on the late signing of Dalton Risner) put him on the shelf.
Enter the trade of the year. The Bengals sent a 2026 fifth-rounder to Cleveland for Joe Flacco.
It was surreal. Seeing Flacco in a Bengals jersey after years of him torching us as a Raven was a lot to process. On the depth chart, it looks like this:
- QB1: Joe Burrow (when healthy)
- QB2: Joe Flacco
- QB3: Jake Browning
Browning is still there, but Flacco's veteran presence was the "emergency glass" Zac Taylor had to break. It’s a weird room. You’ve got the franchise savior, a Super Bowl-winning mercenary, and the guy who kept the seat warm in '23.
Keeping the Band Together (At a Massive Cost)
Let’s talk about the wide receivers because this is where the money is. Literally.
In March 2025, the front office finally did it. They extended Ja'Marr Chase on a four-year, $161 million deal. Then, in a move that shocked people who thought the franchise tag was the end of the road, they kept Tee Higgins on a four-year, $115 million contract.
You’ve gotta realize how rare this is. Most teams let the "WR2" walk when the "WR1" resets the market. But Duke Tobin and Mike Brown decided to push all their chips in.
- Ja'Marr Chase: The undisputed WR1. He won the Triple Crown in 2024 (receptions, yards, and TDs).
- Tee Higgins: WR2. He’s basically a WR1 on 20 other teams.
- Andrei Iosivas: He has taken over the slot role that Tyler Boyd once held.
- Charlie Jones: Mostly a return threat, but he's getting more snaps in four-wide sets.
The depth is thin after those top two, though. Jermaine Burton has been a bit of a question mark, and the team is really leaning on Andrei "Yoshi" Iosivas to prove he's more than just a training camp darling.
The Offensive Line: A Work in Progress
Is it ever not a work in progress? Honestly, the Bengals’ offensive line has been a bottom-five unit for most of the Burrow era. For 2025, they went for a "youth plus cheap veterans" approach.
Orlando Brown Jr. is still the anchor at left tackle. He's the guy they pay the big bucks to, and while he’s not perfect, he’s steady. Beside him, things get interesting. The Bengals drafted Dylan Fairchild out of Georgia in the third round, and he actually pushed his way into the starting left guard spot over Cordell Volson.
At center, Ted Karras is the heart of the team. But behind him, you've got undrafted rookie Seth McLaughlin from Ohio State, who many experts think could be the future there.
The right side is where the real drama is. Amarius Mims is the starting right tackle now. He’s a mountain of a man. The right guard spot has been a revolving door between veteran Dalton Risner (who signed late) and Jalen Rivers, a rookie from Miami.
Defensive Identity Crisis
Defense is where the Cincinnati Bengals depth chart 2025 looks the most different. Lou Anarumo had to deal with a lot of departures. Germaine Pratt and Mike Hilton—two massive leaders—found new homes in free agency.
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To fill the void, the Bengals used their first-round pick on Shemar Stewart, a defensive end from Texas A&M. He’s been backing up Myles Murphy and Trey Hendrickson. Speaking of Hendrickson, his trade request drama was a cloud over the offseason, but he ended up staying. Good thing, too, because without him, the pass rush is... well, it's not great.
The Defensive Front
- LDE: Joseph Ossai / Shemar Stewart
- DT: B.J. Hill / Kris Jenkins Jr.
- NT: Tedarrell Slaton / McKinnley Jackson
- RDE: Trey Hendrickson / Myles Murphy
The linebacker core saw a massive shakeup. With Pratt gone, the Bengals are starting Logan Wilson alongside second-round rookie Demetrius Knight Jr. from South Carolina. Knight is fast—sorta like a heat-seeking missile—but he’s had some rookie growing pains with gap discipline.
Secondary Struggles
The secondary is... young. Very young.
Cam Taylor-Britt is the star corner, but he’s dealt with injury bugs. DJ Turner II is the other starter on the outside. In the slot, they moved Dax Hill back to corner after his ACL recovery, but he’s been battling with rookie Josh Newton for those snaps.
Safety is arguably the most stable part of the defense with Geno Stone and Jordan Battle. Vonn Bell is still hanging around in a rotational role, but it’s clear they want the younger guys to take the reigns.
What Most People Get Wrong About This Roster
A lot of folks look at the 6-11 record and think the roster is trash. It’s not. The problem is the "Burrow Tax." When you have $100 million tied up in three players (Burrow, Chase, Higgins), your margin for error is zero.
One injury—like the one to Burrow—and the whole thing collapses because you can’t afford elite depth at tackle or cornerback. The Bengals are betting that their elite offensive trio can outscore whatever the defense gives up. In 2025, that bet didn't quite pay off, leading to a D+ grade from several national outlets.
Actionable Insights for Who Dey Fans
If you're tracking this team for fantasy, betting, or just pure fandom, keep these things in mind:
- Watch the Right Guard Battle: The Jalen Rivers vs. Dalton Risner situation is key. If Rivers wins out, it means the Bengals have a young, cheap starter. If they're forced to play Risner, it might mean the rookie isn't ready.
- Monitor the TE Rotation: Mike Gesicki and Noah Fant were both brought in on short-term deals. They are basically "big wide receivers." Don't expect them to block much; expect them to be Burrow's safety valves.
- The Defensive Snap Count: Pay attention to how many snaps Shemar Stewart gets. If he starts taking time away from Joseph Ossai, it’s a sign the Bengals are preparing for a post-Hendrickson era.
- Draft Capital: Since the 2025 season was a disappointment, the Bengals are looking at a high pick in 2026. This means the depth chart you see now is going to be heavily challenged by a top-10 talent very soon.
The 2025 depth chart isn't a finished product. It's a bridge. A bridge between the "Super Bowl run" years and whatever the next version of this team looks like. It’s a roster that’s top-heavy, expensive, and incredibly talented at the peak—but brittle at the base.