Bengals face worrying 2025 outlook after preseason loss to Eagles

The Cincinnati Bengals opened up their preseason with a 34-27 loss to the Philadelphia Eagles, leading to FS1's Nick Wright to give a worrying outlook for the team, which, for him, is the same as last season.

On Friday's edition of "First Things First," Wright stated that he doesn't believe the Bengals are a playoff team because they failed to address the issues on defense, and making a change at defensive coordinator isn't enough.

"But why would I think this year's Bengals will be different from last year's Bengals?" Wright said. "No one has explained it to me, other than that Lou Anarumo was actively working against them—which he wasn't.

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"Even if you get a slight upgrade there, I think it's now fair to say whatever they get from Trey Hendrickson isn't going to make him the sack leader. I would have been surprised if he had done that—if they had signed him three months ago and he was in camp. I think it's even less likely now that he's out—same old story.

"Of course, the offense is awesome. They have a great quarterback and two great receivers. That's where they've spent all their money. They have drafted well, both high and well. I'm not trying to make too much of a preseason game, but I guess if it confirms my priors—what do you think the Bengals are going to look like? A super prolific offense that has trouble stopping people."

“Why would I think this year’s Bengals will be different from last year’s Bengals? No one has explained it to me.”@getnickwright reacts to Cincy’s first preseason game: pic.twitter.com/4WFzfaUMiw

— First Things First (@FTFonFS1) August 8, 2025

Last season, the Bengals' offense led the NFL in passing touchdowns (43) and passing yards (4,640) with Joe Burrow under center. However, the concern for Wright and many others is whether or not Cincinnati's defense can make any stops.

As for their defense, Cincinnati was 12th in passing yards allowed (3,799), fourth in passing touchdowns allowed (30), 14th in rushing yards (2,122), and ninth in rushing touchdowns allowed (20). The Bengals will need to improve these numbers if they want to contend for the playoffs, let alone a Super Bowl, but Wright doesn't believe that will happen.