Bengals open season Sunday with optimism — and plenty of questions

The Cincinnati Bengals will kick off the 2025 NFL season on Sunday, September 13, at Paycor Stadium against their AFC North rivals, the Tampa Bay Buccaneers. Head coach Zac Taylor expressed that there is always some curiosity about how the team will perform at the beginning of the season, but this year feels especially optimistic due to the significant roster improvements made in the offseason and training camp.

The defense has been revamped with high-profile free agent signings like Boye Mafe, Jonathan Allen, and Bryan Cook, as well as a blockbuster trade for former Pro Bowl defensive tackle Dexter Lawrence. The Bengals feel confident that the defense will "wreck the game" for their opponents, with new safety Jordan Battle stating they are ready to showcase their hard work from the offseason and training camp.

On the offensive side, the Bengals have retained their entire starting offensive line unit, which has ranked 20th in the NFL for consistency. The veterans Orlando Brown Jr. and Ted Karras Jr. are experienced, while rookie Amarius Mims, left guard Dylan Fairchild, and Dalton Risner have all shown improvement in 2025. The offensive line aims to provide stability for quarterback Joe Burrow as he seeks to build on his past success.

Despite the optimism surrounding the team, questions remain about the offensive line's ability to protect Burrow and whether the defensive upgrades will solve the issues not addressed in the offseason. The Bengals will have to prove themselves on Sunday, with Burrow and the offense both eager to show their worth in the new season.