The Cincinnati Bengals earned their biggest win of the season last Thursday when they defeated the Pittsburgh Steelers 33-31.
Not only did the Bengals end their four-game losing streak and gain a game on the division-leading Steelers, but they may have found the quarterback they need in veteran Joe Flacco to keep their head above water until Joe Burrow can return.
However, before last week’s victory, it had been a struggle for the Bengals.
Why Have the Bengals Struggled?
After a 2-0 start featuring wins over the Cleveland Browns and Jacksonville Jaguars, the Bengals dropped four straight games, losing to the Minnesota Vikings, Denver Broncos, Detroit Lions, and Green Bay Packers before earning their much-needed victory over the Steelers.
Injuries have hit the Bengals hard this season, and once again, they are waiting for the return of their star quarterback.
Burrow suffered a turf-toe injury in the Bengals’ second game of the season and has not played since. Burrow is reportedly on track to return in mid-December.
The Bengals turned to Jake Browning to fill in for Burrow, and despite being solid in Burrow’s absence in 2023, Browning really struggled this season. He’s completed 64.5% of his passes (64.5) for 757 yards with six touchdowns and eight interceptions.
In two games with the Bengals, Flacco is 60-of-92 for 561 yards with five touchdowns and no interceptions.
Browning’s PFSN QBi grade is just 49.6, an F, 37th in the league. Flacco, meanwhile, has a D grade of 63.3, 31st in the league. The Bengals’ PFSN OFFi grade for the season is a D at 64.9, just 28th in the league.
The Bengals decided not to part ways with star edge Trey Hendrickson before the season, but he is still the focus of several trade rumors. Although it seems like the Bengals may hold on to their star pass rusher, another defender may be on their way out.
What Bengals Star Wants out of Cincinnati?
Despite the big win, one Bengal is not pleased with his role.
According to ESPN’s Ben Baby and later confirmed by Adam Schefter, linebacker Logan Wilson has asked for a trade.
Bengals linebacker Logan Wilson has requested a trade, per ESPN’s @Ben_Baby.https://t.co/1PsefdjWs8
— Adam Schefter (@AdamSchefter) October 23, 2025
Wilson has seemingly been unseated by a pair of rookies in Barrett Carter and Demetrius Knight, Jr., but that hasn’t stopped Wilson from remaining a team player.
“It hasn’t changed our relationship at all,” Carter told ESPN. “I still lean on him heavily with stuff, still ask him questions every single day. He’s been a great leader, just like the man he is since the day I got here.”
Carter, a fourth-round pick out of Clemson, has recorded 40 tackles, while Knight, Jr., a second-round pick out of rival South Carolina, has recorded 50 tackles.
Wilson has 41 tackles, a fumble recovery, and four passes defended this season.
Wilson entered the season having recorded at least 100 tackles in each of his last four seasons, with his rookie season in 2020 being the only season he hasn’t reached that mark. At just 29, Wilson could still be a valuable piece after a change of scenery.
Wilson agreed to a four-year, $36 million deal in 2023 that will expire after the 2027 season.
Although they decided not to deal star edge Trey Hendrickson before the season, they opted not to trade him.
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