The Cincinnati Bengals organization is facing harsh criticism from their players in the 2025 NFLPA report card. The administration received failing grades in several crucial areas, highlighting significant concerns about player welfare and operational competence.
Bengals’ Food Ranks Dead Last in the NFL
According to the NFLPA’s Report Card, the Bengals ranked 32nd out of 32 teams in both food taste (4.82/10) and freshness (5.49/10). The team’s dining area also received a dismal rating, ranking 30th in the league. Most alarmingly, Cincinnati is one of only two NFL teams that don’t provide three meals a day to their players, a truly inexcusable and egregious oversight for a club valued at $5.25 billion.
While there have been subtle improvements, like offering dinner on Wednesdays and breakfast on off-days, players are pushing for further enhancements to meet league standards.
Only 41% of Bengals players report receiving individualized nutrition plans, ranking the team last in the league. Players have expressed frustration with the limited accessibility of their team dietician, who is only present two days a week due to part-time employment.
Rarely, a multi-billion dollar company that counts on peak performance from its personnel doesn’t put a premium on the most crucial elements in helping its performers maximize their chances for success.
Several NFL teams have significantly benefited from improved nutrition programs and the expertise of nutritionists, leading to enhanced player performance and team success.
Leslie Bonci, the Pittsburgh Steelers’ nutritionist, played a crucial role in the team’s Super Bowl victory in 2006. Head coach Bill Cowher credited her as one of the reasons for their achievements, highlighting how proper nutrition contributed to better performance in the weight room and on the field, potentially reducing injuries.
In 1976, the Denver Broncos became the first NFL team to bring on a nutritionist. Their next dietitian, Jackie Berning, helped guide the team through five Super Bowl appearances, including two championships. This increased focus on nutrition coincided with the Broncos winning back-to-back Super Bowls in the late 1990s.
If you’re someone who subscribes to the saying, “You are what you eat”, then the Bengals’ dietary shortcomings could be a major culprit for the team’s inability to consistently contend for a Super Bowl despite an ultra-talented roster.
Bengals Negligent In Supporting Families
In a league where family support is increasingly prioritized, the Bengals are the only NFL team that fails to offer daycare during home games or a family room. The post-game family area received a meager 4.69/10 rating, placing them last in the league.
One player described the treatment of families as “almost disrespectful,” underscoring the depth of dissatisfaction with the organization’s family-oriented initiatives.
Bengals Owner Mike Brown Under Scrutiny
These issues ultimately reflect on team owner Mike Brown, who received a C grade and ranked 25th out of 32 owners. Players don’t perceive Brown as a contributor to a positive team culture (26th in the league) and question his commitment to building a competitive team (28th among NFL owners).
NLFPA Report Card’s Impact on Bengals’ Performance and Team’s Future
The repulsive report card raises questions about the team’s long-term hopes. Joe Burrow recently emphasized the importance of keeping the team’s core together, sending a strong message to the front office ahead of a critical offseason.
With key players like Tee Higgins and Ja’Marr Chase due for free agency in the coming years, addressing these institutional deficiencies would go a long way in improving player retention and team cohesion.
As the team aims to bounce back from a disappointing 9-8 season that saw them miss the playoffs, the key to overcoming on-field obstacles could be in how the building operates.
For a franchise that has shown flashes of brilliance on the field, these off-the-field issues are reprehensible. The organization’s response to this scathing report card will likely play a significant role in shaping the team’s future.