The Cincinnati Bengals didn’t make the playoffs last season.
That was despite Joe Burrow posting MVP-caliber numbers and Ja’Marr Chase leading all wide receivers in receptions, yards and touchdowns.
Their defense was arguably atrocious, and even though they replaced coordinator Lou Anarumo, that might not be enough to straighten it out.
That’s why Dan Orlovsky believes they should know better than to trade All-Pro edge rusher Trey Hendrickson, who is sitting out while seeking a contract extension.
“Without him, I do not believe they’re a playoff team,” Orlovsky said on “First Take.”
"Without him, I do not believe [the Bengals] are a playoff team."
—@DanOrlovsky7 on Trey Hendrickson 😯 pic.twitter.com/o2cJBGzC30
— First Take (@FirstTake) August 18, 2025
They didn’t make the playoffs even with Hendrickson leading the NFL in sacks, so it’s hard to believe they’ll be any better without him.
They’ve gotten off to a slow start in every year under head coach Zac Taylor, and while their defense hasn’t always been awful, it will take a lot to fix everything that needs to be fixed.
The front office seems to be doing everything in its power to ensure Joe Burrow never wins the Super Bowl, and if he does, it will be despite it, not thanks to it.
The offense can only take this team so far, but it seems like the organization didn’t learn much from last season’s failure.
Things don’t look good right now, and losing Hendrickson might be the final blow.
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