Bengals’ 2025 Initial 53-man Roster: Analyzing Cincinnati’s next step toward a return to the postseason
Cincinnati has made its roster cuts to arrive at 53 players.
The Cincinnati Bengals have put together their initial 53-man roster for the 2025 season. What the roster looks like now is almost exactly what it’ll look like when Week 1 finally arrives.
There will of course be some alterations. Players will move to Injured Reserve, waiver claims could come in to take the place of others, and so forth. For now, this is where the initial 53-man roster stands as the team continues preparations to get back to the playoffs. Check out all the cuts made here.
Note: Players with a single asterisk (*) are 2025 draft picks and players with double asterisks (**) are 2025 undrafted free agents.
Quarterback (2)
Joe Burrow, Jake Browning
The skinny: No notes. Browning was never really challenged by Desmond Ridder despite how Week 1 looked.
Running back (3)
Chase Brown, Samaje Perine, Tahj Brooks*
The skinny: Three was the expected number here, and while Kendall Milton made a strong case to be RB4, other positions needed more depth.
Wide receiver (6)
Ja’Marr Chase, Tee Higgins, Andrei Iosivas, Charlie Jones, Jermaine Burton, Mitchell Tinsley
The skinny: No surprise here with Tinsley, who secured his spot over a week ago. When he didn’t need to play at all Saturday in the preseason finale, it was known he would be WR6. Burton will not go on Injured Reserve to start the year.
Tight end (5)
Drew Sample, Mike Gesicki, Noah Fant, Tanner Hudson, Cam Grandy
PUP: Erick All Jr.
The skinny: Grandy’s blocking prowess clearly helped him stay on for another season. Yes, five looks like a lot on paper, but Gesicki and Hudson are essentially receivers only. Tanner McLachlan feels like a practice squad lock, and All was always going to be a 2026 hopeful.
Offensive line (8)
Orlando Brown Jr. (LT), Dylan Fairchild* (LG), Ted Karras (C), Lucas Patrick (RG), Amarius Mims (RT), Cody Ford, Jalen Rivers*, Matt Lee
The skinny: One of the first surprises is going light here, especially with Cordell Volson waived with his injury, but that appears to be temporary as the team looks to add a guard. Could it be Dalton Risner? Maybe. We’ll see what waivers have in store. Ford and Rivers back up both tackle and guard spots while Lee is the backup center, as expected.
Defensive line (11)
Trey Hendrickson (DE), B.J. Hill (DT), T.J. Slaton (NT), Shemar Stewart* (DE), Joseph Ossai, Kris Jenkins Jr., McKinnley Jackson, Myles Murphy, Cam Sample, Howard Cross III**, Eric Gregory**
I.R. to return: Cedric Johnson
The skinny: Turns out Taven Bryan lost out to both Cross III and Gregory for the fifth and sixth defensive tackle spots, but I wouldn’t be surprised if one of them goes down to the practice squad after a guard or safety is added.
Linebacker (5)
Logan Wilson, Demetrius Knight Jr.*, Oren Burks, Barrett Carter*, Shaka Heyward
The skinny: Heyward beat out Joe Giles-Harris and Maema Njongmeta for the final spot. Earning captain status in the final preseason game was a tell.
Cornerback (6)
Dax Hill, Cam Taylor-Britt, DJ Turner II, Josh Newton, DJ Ivey, Marco Wilson
The skinny: Wilson edged out Jalen Davis for the sixth spot here. Not much else to be said.
Safety (4)
Geno Stone, Jordan Battle, Tycen Anderson, PJ Jules
I.R. to return: Daijahn Anthony
The skinny: Jules came to play against the Colts and it was indeed enough to make the 53. Anthony’s hamstring injury definitely helped and the former seventh-round pick will head to I.R. to start the year.
Specialists (3)
IN: Evan McPherson (K), Ryan Rehkow (P), William Wagner** (LS)
The skinny: The coin was flipped and the rookie Wagner beat out the fourth-year player in Cal Adomitis. Both long snappers snapped well in preseason action, but the club is going with the younger player with the three-year contract.
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