NFL Insider Warren Sharp issued a scathing criticism of the Cincinnati Bengals, citing the organization’s failures in supporting its players. The Bengals received an F grade for their food and dining services, with players expressing dissatisfaction over the quality and availability of meals. Sharp’s comments shine a light on the ballclub’s subpar conditions and their dire financial situation.
Cincinnati’s Failing Food Conditions
The Bengals’ cafeteria has been ranked dead last in both taste and freshness, with a freshness score of just 5.49 out of 1012. Sharp noted that the Bengals do not provide three meals a day, unlike 30 other NFL teams. This has led to comparisons with prison food, with Sharp stating, “Bengals Cafeteria worse than prison” on X.
Bengals Cafeteria worse than prison
dead last in taste
dead last in freshness
not even 3 meals a day pic.twitter.com/ftnpX4AWt2
— Warren Sharp (@SharpFootball) February 26, 2025
Sharp also criticized the Bengals’ lack of investment in its players, contrasting it with the Philadelphia Eagles.
this is wild
the Bengals & Eagles both signed their QB1s to extensions in 2023
since?
1 Bengal was re-signed to a contract over $40M (Logan Wilson)
8 Eagles were re-signed to contracts over $40M
(A.J. Brown, Landon Dickerson, Lane Johnson, DeVonta Smith, Jordan Mailata, Zach…
— Warren Sharp (@SharpFootball) March 6, 2025
Both teams signed their quarterbacks to extensions in 2023, but since then, the Eagles have re-signed eight players to contracts worth over $40 million, while the Bengals have only re-signed one player, Logan Wilson. Sharp pointed out that the Bengals are not using their cost savings from the cafeteria to invest in their players, suggesting that the team is not committed to retaining top talent.
How Cheap Bengals Ownership and Front Office Impact Team Dynamics
The Bengals’ approach to player amenities and financial investments has cast serious doubt about their commitment to building a competitive team. Players have expressed dissatisfaction with the food, treatment of families, and other team services, with one player calling the conditions “almost disrespectful“.
Former NFL wide receiver Harry Douglas blasted the Bengals for their inability to get new deals done with their star players, coining the team “the Cheap-innati Bengals.”
Cincinnati placed the franchise tag on Tee Higgins, which is worth $26.2 million. Higgins didn’t seem too excited about the announcement. The tag didn’t sit well with Detroit Lions All-Pro receiver Amon-Ra St. Brown. On his podcast, Brown unleashed his distaste for the second consecutive tag on Higgins, stating, “That should be illegal. I don’t give a f*** what nobody says. That’s so f***ed.”
"That should be illegal. I don't give a f*** what nobody says. That's so f***ed."
Amon-Ra St. Brown isn't a fan of the Bengals franchise tagging Tee Higgins for the 2nd straight season. pic.twitter.com/qA49ZPcSia
— St. Brown Podcast (@StBrownPodcast) March 5, 2025
The club exercised the fifth year option on their former first-round pick and Offensive Rookie of the Year, Ja’Marr Chase, who will earn $21.8 million in 2025. The Athletic’s Dianna Russini wrote that “Chase is expected to reset the non-QB market,” and that “[a]n offer has been made by Cincinnati, but the two sides remain far apart in talks for now.”
The team granted Trey Hendrickson permission to seek a trade. CBS NFL Insider Jonathan Jones believes Cincinnati could “get a high 3 (third-round pick), they’d love a low 2” for their sack leader. With fellow defensive end Sam Hubbard surprising many with his retirement announcement, the Bengals will turn to the draft to fill the void.
With Hendrickson virtually out the door, and Higgins and Chase dangerously close to following him, the Bengals appear to be in crisis mode. Will Burrow stick with the franchise that extended him or start shopping around?