The Cincinnati Bengals are working toward what they hope will be a bounce back season in 2025-26 after missing the playoffs in two consecutive seasons. The 2021 Super Bowl participants still boast one of the NFL's top passing attacks led by the vaunted duo of Joe Burrow at quarterback and Ja'Marr Chase at wide receiver,

The Bengals have already missed the playoffs in back-to-back seasons despite having a top-four quarterback and the best wide receiver in the NFL. That's because Cincinnati has a bottom-five defense in that span, at least in terms of defensive expected points added (EPA).

Cincinnati Bengals receiver Ja'Marr Chase wanted to let teammate Joe Burrow know that Chase joined the prestigious Madden 99 club before the Bengals' star quarterback did. The Bengals shared video of Chase, who got a 99 overall rating in Madden NFL 26 to become the first Cincinnati player in the club, informing Burrow of his new status.