The Cincinnati Bengals season ended essentially on Sunday against the Pittsburgh Steelers after losing 44-38. The usual suspects were solid for the orange and black but the atrocious defense was abysmal again allowing 524 yards of total offense. Russell Wilson had his second-best passing day as a professional throwing for 414 yards and three touchdowns with one interception for a passing rating of 126.4. The Steelers’ running game also ran roughshod over Cincinnati and Lou Anarumo’s crew had no answer to give the offense a fighting chance. The Bengals’ defense has so many holes that must be addressed this offseason. The front office has to nail the draft and free agency in rebuilding the defense in 2025 if the Bengals are to get back to the Super Bowl.

The Bengals’ Defense Needs a Total Rebuild

Division Woes

When you look at the landscape in the AFC North and how the teams are built on both sides of the ball, the Bengals are the least like their counterparts. This is especially true on the defensive side of the ball where they seem to lack any intensity. They are not aggressive with their play on the field or how they carry themselves off it. Cincinnati is missing fiery and intense players needed in the NFL’s toughest division. The last five games of the season will essentially serve as a trial of who will be on this defensive roster next season.

Pass Rush Wanted

The Bengals only have one effective pass rusher in Trey Hendrickson who has had an incredible season thus far with an NFL-leading 11.5 sacks. He is a one-man show with veteran Sam Hubbard providing no help on the other side and sophomore Myles Murphy not being much better. The tough pill to swallow is that Hendrickson will want a pay raise again next season with the numbers showing he deserves it.

Stop Running

The limited pass rush has opened lanes on a rushing defense that hasn’t seemed to recover after losing run-stuffer supreme D.J. Reader. Rookies Kris Jenkins and McKinnley Jackson have shined at times, but they need more help in pushing the pocket from the interior and clogging running lanes for opposing teams.

Secondary Concerns

Since we’re on the theme of letting players walk, the departure of Jessie Bates has also left a void in the secondary that Cincinnati has been searching to replace ever since. Injuries to Dax Hill and DJ Turner have only made matters worse in forcing rookies to play sooner than the coaching staff would like. Communication issues and poor tackling have been the biggest culprits even in Week 13 and it’s costing the Bengals dearly in giving up way too many big plays downfield.

Next Steps

This franchise is at a crossroads at 4-8 after starting the season with Super Bowl aspirations. Joe Burrow and Ja’Marr Chase are having All-Pro seasons and it’s being overlooked because of how historically bad this defense has been. Something has to change, likely multiple things if ownership doesn’t want to waste the careers of possibly the two best players in franchise history. That would truly be a crying shame.