In 2025, the Cincinnati Bengals disappointed as they won their fewest games since the 2020 season, and missed the postseason for the third consecutive season. The team dealt with injuries to Joe Burrow and Trey Hendrickson, and struggled to generate momentum for any meaningful run.
Fortunately, with the season over and the offseason to look forward to, the Bengals have a chance of improving their roster. They are currently projected to have over $50 million in cap space, and a top 10 pick in the upcoming 2026 NFL Draft. The Bengals have not selected inside the top 10 since drafting Ja’Marr Chase with the fifth overall selection in 2021.
However, the Bengals face other issues aside from their on-filed results. A new survey that was leaked from the NFL Players Association revealed that Bengals players dislike the team’s ownership.
NFL Players Association Gives Harsh Rating to Bengals
Despite the NFL’s best wishes, the NFL Players Association leaked their annual survey in which players grade different aspects from NFL teams. The survey answered by players grades teams from A-plus to F-minus on everything from ownership to treatment of families. Regarding the surveys, ESPN said, “This year’s report cards are based on responses from 1,759 players. All players who were on a 2025 roster at the time of the survey were eligible to participate, and it was conducted from Nov. 2 to Dec. 11.
The Bengals did not grade out well, as they ranked 28th out of 32 NFL teams. The team’s ownership has been criticized continuously , and the grades proved no different. Mike Brown, who is the team’s owner and president, received a D+ grade. Last season, the Bengals received a C in team ownership. Overall the team dropped four spots as they were 24th in the 2025 NFL PA surveys.
Aside from ownership the Bengals graded out as, “Treatment of Families: F-, Home Game Field: D- ,Food/Dining Area: F-, Nutritionist/Dietician: F, Locker Room: A-, Training Room: A-, Training Staff: A-, Weight Room: A-, Strength Coaches: A, Position Coaches: B-, Offensive Coordinator: A-, Defensive Coordinator: B+, Special Teams Coordinator: B+, Team Travel: C-, Head Coach: A-, General Manager: C, Team Ownership: D+.
Cincinnati Bengals Coaching Staff
Most of the aspects where the Bengals graded poorly can be traced back to the team’s ownership. Fortunately, the team’s coaching staff graded out well. Zac Taylor, who is the only coach that was retained in the AFC North, received an A-, although he did grade higher last season.
Players tend to speak highly of Taylor publicly. Veteran quarterback Joe Flacco, who was traded to the Bengals during the 2025 season, said of Taylor, “My experience with him has been unbelievable. I feel so lucky to have had that happen. I think he’s awesome at what he does. This is a hard business and there’s a lot of times when it doesn’t go the way you want it to. I mean honestly, for 31 teams it goes the way you don’t want it to. I know this is more disappointing than that, but he’s really good at what he does. Guys have a lot of respect for him, no doubt about it.”
