Paul Brown
Joe Robbins/Getty Images
Bengals owner Paul Brown, pictured in 2019, has set one of the worst cultures in the NFL, according to player agents.
The Cincinnati Bengals may have a Super Bowl-caliber roster, but according to NFL agents, they are far from a world-class organization.
The Bengals were rated as the most unstable of the 32 NFL teams in data compiled by NFL reporter Ben Standig of The Athletic.
The Bengals, of course, went to the Super Bowl just three years ago and have a roster laden with talent like quarterback Joe Burrow, All-Pro wideout Ja’Marr Chase and All-Pro defensive end Trey Hendrickson.
But their management of Hendrickson and Chase, among others, amid contract disputes have earned them low marks — despite their four straight above-.500 seasons and two playoff appearances in that span.
What Did Agents Say About The Bengals?
Standig has compiled intel from agents for the past seven years. This year he collected the opinions of 24 agents of varying experience levels.
Of the 24 agents polled, 5.5 rated the Bengals as the most unstable organization — one agent had a tie between Cincinnati and the Dallas Cowboys — thanks to Paul Brown’s culture.
“Mom and pop ownership. In 2025,” an unidentified agent told Standig. “Makes it difficult to navigate.”
Another agent cited the language in contracts for first-round draft picks, like that of Shemar Stewart, which led to him being the last pick to agree to a deal this off-season.
Every first-round pick — and even some second-round picks — received fully guaranteed contracts this year, with a pre-determined slot for cost certainty. The proposed terms by the Bengals, where Cincinnati threatened to void the contract if certain conditions weren’t met, was the only contract offer among first-round picks that would not be fully guaranteed.
Between that, and the lengthy and contentious negotiations with Hendrickson, left the Bengals earning low grades among agents.
“There is always some kind of issue there and not much accountability,” Standig reported an agent saying. “This off-season, the contract negotiation for Trey Hendrickson and the language in the contract of their first-round pick are great examples. Every agent knows what’s coming.”
Did The Bengals Earn Good Grades on the Agent Poll?
Making things more difficult for Cincinnati is the fact it shares a division with one of the most stable organizations and the agent poll’s best coach.
The Baltimore Ravens landed the second-best grade, behind only the Philadelphia Eagles, on the list of franchises that “have their act together.”
“Well organized. Direct. Reasonable,” one agent said.
Plus, veteran Pittsburgh Steelers coach Mike Tomlin was the runaway winner for which head coach gets the most out of their players on and of the field.
“Hands down, Mike Tomlin,” one agent said. “I know the Steelers could use a playoff run, but they have a shot at contending every year. He sets the standard.”
So, as understood, Cincinnati’s division is hellacious. But it also benefits from sharing the AFC North with the Cleveland Browns, who were tied for third among the most unstable organizations with the Carolina Panthers.
“What’s their goal?” one agent asked. “It starts with Deshaun Watson, but also drafting Dillon Gabriel AND Shedeur Sanders. What’s their plan? No sense of culture, synergy.”