Cincinnati Bengals

The Cincinnati Bengals enter the 2025 fantasy football season with one of the most exciting offenses in the league, led by quarterback Joe Burrow. After a stellar 2024 campaign where Burrow threw for 4,918 yards and 43 touchdowns, earning Comeback Player of the Year, he remains a top-tier fantasy QB1 option in 2025. The Bengals have reinforced their offensive line by adding Lucas Patrick and rookie Dylan Fairchild, which should help Burrow continue to produce at a high volume. With elite wide receivers Ja'Marr Chase and Tee Higgins (who has just signed a new contract) locked in, Burrow’s prospects for sustained success are bright, though some risk persists if the offensive line doesn’t fully gel.

On the receiving front, Ja'Marr Chase and Tee Higgins form one of the league’s best WR duos, consistently producing elite fantasy numbers. Andrei Iosivas, serving as WR3, is expected to improve his production, potentially filling in more if Higgins misses time again, as he’s known to do. Tight end Mike Gesicki is a reliable target with a strong catch rate and should continue to contribute steadily, having bounced back well in Cincinnati last season after bouncing between teams earlier in his career. Overall, the receiving corps offers both high upside and some depth for fantasy owners.

The running back position presents more uncertainty. Chase Brown took on the lead role last season due to circumstance and delivered admirably, but projections suggest a decrease in workload in 2025, with his carries dropping from 229 to under 180 and touchdowns likely halving from 11 to about 6. This regression reduces his fantasy appeal, especially given the Bengals’ pass-heavy offense and the competition for touches. Fantasy managers should be cautious about relying heavily on Brown unless the team’s running back situation sees unexpected changes.

Defensively, the Bengals have struggled in recent years, often placing them in unfavorable game scripts that force Burrow to pass frequently. While improvements are anticipated under defensive coordinator Al Golden, Cincinnati’s defense remains a weakness, limiting its fantasy value as a unit. Ultimately, this offense-centric team relies heavily on Burrow and his talented receivers to carry fantasy production, making those players prized investments. If the Bengals can strike more balance in their attack and shore up their defense, the outlook could improve, but for now, fantasy owners should lean into Cincinnati’s potent passing game.

Updated 08/23/2025