A recurring problem for the Cincinnati Bengals over the last 30 seasons is the franchise’s inability to effectively reach agreements to extend the careers of its best players. The most recent example of this organizational flaw is their current contract battle with Edge Trey Hendrickson, and their inability to sign 1st round draft pick Shemar Stewart before the Rookie Mini-Camp. These battles are not new for the Bengals; Cincinnati had an ongoing contract dispute with its wide receivers Ja’Marr Chase and Tee Higgins last season. Luckily for Bengals fans, Cincinnati finally decided to play Chase and Higgins, who they needed to continue to be the crown jewels of the Bengals offense. One reason the retention of Chase and Higgins is critical is the result of their lack of offensive playmakers without the dynamic pair of wide receivers.
WR 1: Ja’Marr Chase
Since the Bengals selected Ja’Marr Chase during the 2021 NFL draft, Chase has established himself as a top wide receiver in the NFL. Chase’s elite talent, combined with his pre-existing chemistry with Bengals quarterback Joe Burrow, has made Chase the Bengals’ best option for producing explosive plays. Consequently, Chase has received awards for Offensive Rookie of the Year 2021 and as an All-Pro in 2024. During the 2024 season, Chase played in all 17 games for the Bengals, catching 127 passes for 1,708 yards and scoring 17 touchdowns. Chase has caught 395 passes for 5,425 yards and 46 touchdown passes for his career.
WR 2: Tee Higgins
While Tee Higgins is the Bengals’ best option for a number 2 wide receiver threat, Higgins has recently encountered a common problem for wide receivers in Cincinnati. That problem is injuries. During the 2022 season, Higgins started to see a decline in performance due to injuries, missing three games. During the 2023 and 2024 seasons, those injury issues continued to pop up, with Higgins missing five games each. Despite the injury issues, Higgins has played in 70 games for the Bengals and has caught 330 passes for 4,595 yards and 34 touchdowns. However, during the 2024 season, Higgins only played in 12 games, catching 73 passes for 911 yards while scoring 10 touchdowns.
WR 3: Kendric Pryor
After Higgins, the Bengals’ quality of depth at the wide receiver position quickly declines. During his three-year NFL career, Kendric Pryor has spent time with the Cincinnati Bengals and the Jacksonville Jaguars. In 2024, Pryor returned to the Bengals, but the former Wisconsin receiver’s lack of production is concerning. Pryor has only had the opportunity to play in two NFL games, and he only caught one pass for nine yards during those games. If Higgins or Chase goes down, Pryor could be the next receiver up, creating a huge question mark for the Bengals’ offense.
WR 4: Jermaine Burton
Similar to Pryor, Jermaine Burton would be near the top of the list of receivers to fill in for an injured Chase or Higgins. While Burton, played in 14 games during his first season in Cincinnati during the 2024 season. Despite receiving several opportunities to contribute on the field for the Bengals, Burton only caught four passes for 107 yards.
WR 5: Cole Burgess
Wide receiver Cole Burgess is a feel-good story for the Bengals due to his unlikely rise from the NCAA D-III level of college football to the NFL. During the 2024 season, Burgess did not play in any games for the Bengals, and he could find himself fighting for a spot on the Bengals roster during training camp. Burgess has a reputation for being a tough and explosive player. Still, that reputation was built at Cortland State, where he did not compete against elite defenders consistently.
WR 6: Mitchell Tinsley
Mitchell Tinsley is another long shot to make an impact for the Bengals during the 2025 season and will have a chance to make the roster. Before coming to Cincinnati, Tinsley spent the 2023 and 2024 seasons with the Washington Commanders. In 2023, Tinsley played in two games for the Commanders, but he did not catch any passes in those two games.
WR 7: UDFA Rashad Owens
Rashod Owens signed with the Bengals as an undrafted free agent after the 2025 NFL draft. Owens is known for having good hands and ball skills. Unfortunately, he struggles with route running on short and intermediate routes. Owens has elite speed, but his lack of technical skill will be his limiting factor in getting an active role on an NFL roster.
WR 8: UDFA Jordan Moore
Jordan Moore also signed with the Bengals as an undrafted free agent in 2025, but he does bring a unique background to the Bengals. Moore started his college football career 2021 at Duke University as a quarterback, but in 2022 the Blue Devils converted Moore into a wide receiver. Moore caught 60 and 62 passes during his two seasons as a receiver and scored 13 receiving touchdowns. If Moore can make the Bengals roster due to his athletic ability, he will require time and patience to develop into an NFL-quality wide receiver.
Check out more football content on Football Scientific
Follow me on X: @AaronSauter7
