The 2025 season has not unfolded quite how Bengals fans may have envisioned. With a 2–4 record heading into Week 7, Cincinnati finds itself at a crossroads. Injuries, roster shifts, and a quarterback shakeup have combined to create both opportunity and urgency. Yet amid the turbulence, a few young names are emerging, and the narrative surrounding the team is evolving fast.
On-Field Drama: Injuries, QB Moves & Defensive Questions
Cincinnati’s biggest storyline this week centers on the injury to defensive end Trey Hendrickson, who is unlikely to play against Pittsburgh due to a hip injury. Losing Hendrickson—who posted 4 sacks in his first six games—leaves a vacuum in the pass rush. In his absence, rookie Shemar Stewart steps into the spotlight, with some analysts already speculating he could assume DE1 duties.
The Bengals’ tight end room also took a hit: Mike Gesicki was placed on injured reserve after suffering a pectoral injury, and Tanner Hudson is in concussion protocol. That nudges Noah Fant, Drew Sample, and Cam Grandy into more significant roles in the red zone and short-yardage packages.
On the quarterback side, Cincinnati recently acquired Joe Flacco from Cleveland in a trade designed to stabilize the offense while Joe Burrow recovers from a turf toe injury. Burrow’s return is tentatively targeted for mid-December. Meanwhile, the team made a surprising push to lure retired QB Derek Carr out of retirement before ultimately settling on Flacco. With Flacco now under center, the Bengals hope to regain offensive balance and protect what playoff path remains.
Against Pittsburgh, protection will be vital. Cincinnati has surrendered 16 sacks so far this year, though in last week’s game with Flacco starting, the line allowed just one sack—the lowest total this season. Still, vulnerabilities persist, especially along the edges where Orlando Brown Jr. and Amarius Mims have been flagged in pass-protection breakdowns.
In addition, the Bengals have made an eyebrow-raising personnel move: cornerback Cam Taylor-Britt was a healthy scratch for their Thursday Night matchup. This marks the second straight week the club has benched a defensive starter (last week it was linebacker Logan Wilson). Whether this is a coaching message or reaction to performance will be fodder for discussion in the locker room.
Breakout Players: Who’s Rising Amid the Chaos?
In the turmoil, a few Bengals are staking their claim as rising forces—players that deserve attention for how they’ve elevated their games.
DJ Turner II, CB
Turner has arguably been the breakout star of Cincinnati’s 2025 campaign. In his third season, he has already logged 11 passes defensed—an NFL-leading mark and a career high. During Week 6 in Green Bay, Turner tallied five PDs, the most by a Beng in a game since 2009 (Johnathan Joseph). He’s become a lockdown presence, and as the Bengals lean more into pass-heavy scheming while chasing games, Turner’s development may prove essential.
Barrett Carter, LB
Cincinnati doubled down on youth in its linebacker corps, and fourth-round rookie Barrett Carter is already assuming a bigger role. With established veterans moving on and recent benching decisions in the linebacker group, Carter is earning playing time and looks to be one of the future building blocks of the defense.
Dylan Fairchild, G
On the offensive side, left guard Dylan Fairchild (a 2025 third-round pick) has been thrust into a starting role immediately. While interior O-line play hasn’t grabbed headlines, his steadiness is critical in a season where consistency at the line has been hard to come by.
Tee Higgins, WR
Though not a rookie, Tee Higgins gets a breakout opportunity in 2025, especially now that Flacco is quarterback. Analysts suggest this could be Higgins’ best chance to reassert himself in the passing hierarchy. As defenses shift to account for Ja’Marr Chase, Higgins must emerge as a reliable second option to keep pressure off the QB.
Off the Field & the Trend Surrounding the Bengals
Beyond Xs and Os, several developments have captured attention and shaped the narrative around Cincinnati.
First, the team’s schedule is surprisingly favorable: according to strength-of-schedule metrics, Cincinnati has the third-easiest remaining slate, offering a legitimate path to claw back into postseason contention. That could allow the franchise to weather its quarterback issues if the supporting cast holds up.
On trade speculation, some voices in the media believe the Bengals might trade Hendrickson in 2026. ESPN’s Bill Barnwell predicted the team could move Hendrickson plus a 2026 fourth-rounder for a second-rounder. Given Hendrickson’s high value and the emergence of younger pass rushers, this scenario is very much on the radar.
Cincinnati’s decision to bench starters (Taylor-Britt, Wilson) sends a signal: the coaching staff won’t hesitate to make tough calls. The ripple effect could reshape roles midseason, and that competitive accountability may pay dividends in the trenches.
Fan expectations are at a turning point. A loss to Pittsburgh in Week 7 could put the Bengals’ season in a dire place, with some observers already suggesting this could be the end of Cincinnati’s playoff window if they can’t right the ship. On the flip side, a win in primetime would fuel optimism that this team can still ride its talent — particularly Chase and emerging defenders — into January relevance.
Why the Bengals Are Trending Now
1. Quarterback volatility: The injury to Burrow and shaky play from Browning catalyzed a mid-season QB trade and revived interest in veteran signings.
2. Youth stepping up in pressure roles: From DJ Turner’s shutdown play to Carter’s emerging snaps, Cincinnati’s younger core is being asked to carry more weight.
3. Roster posture and bold lineup decisions: Benching established starters and rearranging the defense reflects a team willing to make dramatic adjustments.
4. Playoff math and schedule luck: With easier upcoming matchups, the Bengals still have a shot — which places every game under scrutiny.
If Cincinnati is to salvage 2025, it must do two things: get consistent QB play and lean on its breakout performers. The days of limbo are over — the Bengals must act now.
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