As long as the Cincinnati Bengals have Joe Burrow, the expectation is to win a Super Bowl, especially now with Tee Higgins and Ja’Marr Chase signed to long-term contracts. However, not everyone sees the Bengals as a threat to the Kansas City Chiefs.
Despite Cincinnati’s talent, they have failed to make the postseason in back-to-back years. As a result, there’s pressure on this team to end this postseason drought and reach another Super Bowl in the Burrow era.
On Monday, the Managing Editor and Lead Host of VSiN, Brent Musburger, appeared on the “Rich Eisen Show” and was asked about the Super Bowl contenders in the AFC. Musburger and Eisen went division by division, and when talking about the AFC North, he didn’t include the Bengals.
“Baltimore,” Musburger said. “I’m not going to include Cincinnati. I can’t trust them defensively. I don't like how the front office has handled the signing of the rushman. I'm going to go with Baltimore in that division alone.”
💻 @brentmusburger
— Rich Eisen Show (@RichEisenShow) August 4, 2025
How many teams in the AFC are legit Super Bowl contenders? Who joins the list after the Big 3 of #BillsMafia, #RavensFlock and #ChiefsKingdom?#NFL pic.twitter.com/NFSlTiNcrj
By “rushman,” it’s probably that Musburger is referring to the contract standoff that the Bengals are having with Trey Hendrickson. The 30-year-old is coming off back-to-back seasons with 17.5 sacks and is likely the only major threat on the defensive line. However, he has one year left on his contract.
As a result, Hendrickson probably isn’t keen on playing without any term or financial security, understanding that at his age, this is perhaps the last major contract he’ll get. The veteran pass rusher is in training camp but not practicing, so there’s still no end to the situation.
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Late last month, when Hendrickson showed up to training camp, he told the media that despite practicing, the defensive standout will help other teammates.
“What I’m not going to do is as best as I can avoid being a distraction,” Hendrickson said (h/t The Athletic). “I want to help the guys. Guys have helped me along the way, like Demario Davis, Cam Jordan and even Sam Hubbard helped me a lot when I was here. To be that right now, that’s what’s most important. This narrative will iron itself out as we continue to progress toward the season.”
Nonetheless, if there’s no Hendrickson come Week 1, it will be challenging for media members like Musburger to argue that the Bengals are indeed Super Bowl contenders.