CINCINNATI — CBS Sports writer Bryan DeArdo graded each AFC North team's offseason recently and stuck the Bengals with a "B" grade after an offseason of retainment.
Cincinnati inked new deals with Tee Higgins and Ja'Marr Chase, while still efforting to extend Trey Hendrickson.
"The Bengals got some much-needed wins by locking up Chase and Higgins, and the cherry on top was the re-signing of Gesicki, a favorite of quarterback Joe Burrow," DeArdo wrote. "Cincinnati still needs to come to the negotiating table with Hendrickson, who recently went public with his displeasure with how things have gone so far regarding contract talks.
"With Hendrickson's future in the air (he's signed through the 2025 season), and with Sam Hubbard's retirement, it's no surprise that the team spent a first-round pick on Stewart, whose potential led to him being taken on Day 1 despite recording a scant 4.5 sacks in college. The Bengals are clearly banking on Stewart realizing his potential. If he doesn't, the team's front office will justifiably get criticism for choosing him over Derrick Harmon, who could have filled the team's need at defensive tackle."
Cincinnati still has plenty of holes to try and paper over with coaching boosts this offseason, most notably on defense, where they haven't necessarily improved at the edge rushing or cornerback spots.
Those were two huge problems across a 9-8 2024 season. It's up to Al Golden & Co. to try and stop the defensive bleeding, while Burrow and the offense try to level up again.
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This article was originally published on www.si.com/nfl/bengals/ as CBS Sports Hands Cincinnati Bengals 'B' Grade For 2025 Offseason.