Cincinnati Bengals’ $550 million offense returns for 2025 NFL season with Joe Burrow, Ja’Marr Chase, and Tee Higgins under playoff pressure

The Cincinnati Bengals are back in 2025 with one of the most dangerous offenses in the NFL on paper. With Joe Burrow under center, Ja’Marr Chase on the outside, and Tee Higgins lining up opposite him, the Bengals have invested over $550 million into a star-studded offensive core that should dominate the league.

But after two straight playoff misses, the heat is officially on.

Burrow’s MVP stats weren’t enough to save Cincinnati’s playoff hopes

Joe Burrow had a monster 2024 season, throwing for 4,918 yards and 43 touchdowns. Those are MVP-caliber numbers by any standard. Chase continued to be a nightmare for defenders, and Higgins held strong as one of the league’s best WR2s. Together, the trio makes up the highest-paid offensive unit in the NFL.But the Bengals still went 9-8 and missed the playoffs, finishing third in the AFC North.

Despite an offense built to win now, the results have fallen short. This repeated outcome has left fans frustrated and raised serious questions about the team’s ability to perform when it matters most.

While the offense has dazzled, Cincinnati’s defense has crumbled. In 2024, the Bengals ranked 25th in points allowed and 25th in total yards allowed, numbers that cancel out any offensive firepower. Burrow can light up the scoreboard, but if the defense can’t hold, it doesn’t matter.

To make matters trickier, Trey Hendrickson, the team’s best defensive player still doesn’t have a new contract. It seems like the Bengals are all-in on their offense, hoping the defense will improve on its own. But so far, that hope hasn’t turned into results.This season isn’t just another shot for the Bengals, it’s a turning point. With a stacked roster, massive contracts, and mounting expectations, another playoff miss could trigger big changes.

The front office, the coaching staff, and even this core group of stars could come under fire.Also Read: Steelers hosting free agent wide receiver Gabe Davis for visit amid George Pickens trade falloutThe 2025 NFL season will either prove Cincinnati’s strategy right or expose it as one of the most expensive disappointments in recent league history, putting the Bengals’ playoff hopes and roster investments under intense pressure.