CINCINNATI — The Bengals have a few rising coaches on Zac Taylor's staff right now. Sports Illustrated's Connor Orr broke down nearly 50 candidates for head coaching or coordinator positions, with Dan Pitcher one of the top head coach candidates and passing game coach Justin Rascati an offensive coordinator candidate.

Trey Hendrickson has been placed on injured reserve by the Cincinnati Bengals, ending his season. The All-Pro defensive end will undergo core muscle surgery.

Cincinnati’s 2025 season has been a roller-coaster ride marked by early promise, injury setbacks, and heartbreak. With a 4–9 record and the calendar rolling through December like a runaway train, the Bengals find themselves clinging to a postseason dream that looks highly unlikely.

CINCINNATI, Ohio — The NFL finalized its Week 17 schedule on Wednesday, and that includes when the matchup between the Bengals and Cardinals will be. The two teams will play on Sunday, Dec. 28, at 1 p.m. with FOX broadcasting the game.

Cincinnati Bengals wide receiver Tee Higgins now has a chance to play in Week 15 after the team provided a positive injury update on his concussion on Wednesday.

CINCINNATI — ESPN's Field Yates dropped his latest 2026 NFL mock draft on Wednesday morning and slotted a defensive mauler with the Bengals at Pick 10. Cincinnati selected Miami (FL) edge rusher Rueben Bain Jr. with the top-tier selection. ESPN's Football Power Index gives Cincinnati a 52.4% chance of landing a top-10 pick at 4-9 overall.

Whether Cincinnati Bengals head coach Zac Taylor is on the hot seat continues to be a debate that will stretch into the offseason. For some, the debate there might be over and the real conversation pertains to someone like defensive coordinator Al Golden.