The Bengals have run into a familiar defensive mess, and this time it’s not about missed tackles. It’s the tight end problem again - the one Cincinnati never really solved, despite a major defensive overhaul.
Through four games, opposing tight ends have kept finding soft spots in Al Golden’s defense, and in a few cases they’ve turned those matchups into the best receiving performances of their seasons. That’s the kind of trend that jumps off the page fast, because it looks less like a coincidence and more like a blueprint teams are happy to follow.
Last year, the numbers were ugly enough to stand on their own. Cincinnati finished last in the league in yards allowed to tight ends with 1,444.
Indianapolis was the next closest team at 1,186. The Bengals also gave up the most catches to the position, allowing 116 receptions, with Miami next at 108.
And to cap it off, they surrendered a league-high 16 touchdowns to tight ends.
That history is now showing up again.
Houston’s Dalton Schultz had the biggest tight end game of the season against Cincinnati in Week 2, piling up 12 catches for 140 yards. In his other three games combined, he had 9 receptions for 74 yards.
Pittsburgh’s Darnell Washington followed with a season-best three catches for 67 yards in Week 3 against the Bengals; in his other three games, he totaled five grabs for 52 yards. Then Jacksonville’s Brenton Strange turned in his best outing yet this past weekend, catching seven passes for 95 yards after managing seven receptions for 72 yards across his previous three games combined.
All three tight ends led their teams in both receptions and receiving yards against Cincinnati.
The bigger picture is just as troubling. The Bengals are last in the NFL in receiving yards allowed to tight ends at 409.
Tight ends are averaging 102.2 yards per game against Golden’s defense, which is the highest mark through four games. Cincinnati also sits 30th in receptions allowed to the position.
And opponents are clearly noticing. According to Fantasy Points Data, tight ends accounted for 28% of pass attempts against the Bengals through the first three weeks, the third-highest rate in the league. That figure doesn’t even include Strange’s eight targets in Week 4, which made up 34.7% of Trevor Lawrence’s passes.
The Dolphins are next on the schedule, and they may be ready to test the same weak spot. Miami’s tight end group hasn’t produced much yet, but it also hasn’t faced Cincinnati.
Greg Dulcich leads the room with nine catches for 90 yards. Will Kacmarek has two receptions for 19 yards, and rookie Seydou Traore still has not made a catch since coming into the league from Mississippi State.
Personnel hasn’t solved the issue, either. The Bengals did not address linebacker in the offseason, and the options Golden does have don’t look like clean answers. Tacario Davis’ length and physicality could have been a possible fit against tight ends in man coverage, but that does not appear to be on the table, especially with Dax Hill moving back into the slot.
When Golden has gone to man with a linebacker or safety, the results haven’t been encouraging. Kalshi Sports lists linebacker Demetrius Knight as the 11th-most targeted defender this season, while he has allowed the third-most receptions and the second-highest EPA allowed.
Zone coverage hasn’t offered much relief, either, especially when it comes down to linebackers and safeties being asked to make stops in obvious passing situations. That has been a recurring issue for Cincinnati.
For now, the message is clear: until the Bengals prove they can shut the door on tight ends, opposing coordinators are going to keep attacking that part of the defense.
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