Joe Burrow Could Face ‘Serious Trouble' With Bengals Biggest Roster Hole

The Cincinnati Bengals were one of the most disappointing teams in the NFL during the 2025 season, finishing with a 6-11 record while star quarterback Joe Burrow played in just eight games.

Burrow finished the season with 1,809 passing yards with 17 touchdowns and just five interceptions, but wasn’t on the field enough to lead the Bengals to the playoffs. Now he could be faced with “serious trouble” during the 2026 season if one of his top wide receivers goes down.

ESPN argued that wide receiver if the biggest roster hold plaguing the Bengals this season.

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“Obviously, the Bengals are in serious trouble if Ja’Marr Chase or Tee Higgins goes down, but frankly they aren’t really in a great position if they lose slot receiver Andrei Iosivas either,” ESPN noted.

Cincinnati drafted the oft-traveled Colbie Young, who started his collegiate career at Lackawanna before moving on to Miami and eventually Georgia. The fourth-round selection is the top outside option after Ja’Marr Chase and Tee Higgins, but depth at the slot receiver is even worse.

Behind Iosivas sits Charlie Jones, who has caught just one regular-season pass over the last two years. Intriguing options remain on the free agent market such as Deebo Samuel, Curtis Samuel or even Hunter Renfrow.

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This story was originally published May 7, 2026 at 11:44 AM.