Cincinnati needed to play defense throughout the season as if they were playing the Chiefs every week, whom Lou Anarumo always seemed to have his defense prepared to play. Four his six defenses finished in the bottom third of the NFL in scoring defense,

The Cincinnati Bengals have addressed the offensive line coaching positions with two hires. Monday, the Bengals announced the hire of Scott Peters as offensive line coach, with Michael McCarthy coming along as assistant line coach.

Cincinnati has a prime candidate in Notre Dame defensive coordinator Al Golden, who was the club's linebacker coach in 2020 and 2021 under Taylor's staff. Just last night, Golden competed in the national championship against Ohio State. While Notre Dame lost to a buzzsaw of a Buckeyes squad, Golden's defense was remarkable this season.

Cincinnati enters this offseason ninth in effective cap space with $44.2 million available, according to Over the Cap. Yet, the Bengals could double that depending on their level of aggressiveness in cutting veterans.

As of now, the Bengals have a projected $47.6 million in free cap space, but it’s a number the team could dramatically boost with a few cuts ahead of an offseason where they need new additions, plus extensions for Ja’Marr Chase and Tee Higgins.

The Bengals currently are $47.6 million under the salary cap, according to OverTheCap.com. The 2025 salary cap is projected to be in the $275-$280 million range. That $47.6 million that the team is sitting on is the 11th most in the league.

The Cincinnati Bengals enter draft season early again for the second consecutive year. The orange and black have plenty of needs on both sides and how they address free agency will dictate their direction in the 2025 NFL Draft in Green Bay.