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Bengals' Season Unravels: Injuries, Draft Busts Plague Team
10 Dec, 2025
Summary
- Draft pick Burton waived after failing to earn trust.
- Hendrickson's surgery timing sparks questions about loyalty.
- Defense struggles immensely with tight ends, ranks third all-time.
The Bengals' promising season culminated in a thrilling yet ultimately heartbreaking snow game loss, ushering in a period of intense offseason scrutiny. The team has begun to address lingering issues, starting with the waiving of 2024 third-round pick Burton. Despite opportunities to redeem himself after a troubled rookie year, Burton consistently failed to meet expectations, leading to his departure.
Further complicating matters is defensive end Hendrickson's decision to undergo surgery. The timing of this procedure, well after the team's playoff hopes faded, has ignited speculation about his commitment and the contract negotiations earlier in the year. His health and past performance cast a shadow over his future with the team.
The defense's most glaring weakness, an inability to cover tight ends, has reached historic proportions, with the team allowing the third-most yards to the position in NFL history. This deficiency is exacerbated by the struggles of rookie linebackers and subpar safety play, creating significant coverage breakdowns.
