The Cincinnati Bengals are a professional American football team based in Cincinnati, Ohio. They compete in the National Football League (NFL) as a member of the American Football Conference (AFC) North division. The team plays its home games at Paycor Stadium in downtown Cincinnati.
Founded in 1966 by former Cleveland Browns head coach Paul Brown, the Bengals have experienced periods of both success and struggle. They reached the Super Bowl twice in the 1980s but faced challenges in the following decades. In recent years, under head coach Zac Taylor, the team has shown improvement, notably reaching Super Bowl LVI in 2021.
As of March 12, 2025, the Bengals are actively engaged in the NFL’s free agency period. They have re-signed defensive tackle B.J. Hill to a three-year, $33 million contract and acquired run stopper TJ Slaton from the Green Bay Packers. Additionally, the team signed linebacker Oren Burks, formerly of the Philadelphia Eagles, and running back Samaje Perine to a two-year deal, adding depth behind Chase Brown.
The Bengals also re-signed cornerback Marco Wilson to a one-year, $1.52 million contract. Wilson, initially drafted by the Arizona Cardinals in 2021, joined the Bengals in November 2024 and contributed significantly, especially during periods of injury among key players.
Despite these positive moves, the team faces challenges in retaining star players. The recent contract of Myles Garrett with the Browns has set a precedent, complicating the Bengals’ efforts to extend contracts for key players like Ja’Marr Chase, Tee Higgins, and Trey Hendrickson. The team’s previous reluctance to secure these players early has led to increased costs and a need for decisive action to remain competitive.
Looking ahead, the Bengals aim to address roster gaps through strategic free agency moves and the upcoming NFL Draft, striving to build a team capable of contending for a Super Bowl in the near future.