Stephen A. Smith Blasts Bengals Front Office

0:00Welcome to NFL News Today. Two minutes of updates that matter to NFL fans, hit subscribe and stay connected. ESPN analyst Steven A. Smith fired off sharp criticism at the Cincinnati Bengals front office on first take. This came one day after star-ed rusher Trey Hendrickson parted ways with the team as a free agent. Hendrickson spent five seasons in Cincinnati and topped the NFL in SACs during the 2024 season. Smith made it clear he expects the Bengals to let top talent slip away. He labeled the organization as ineffective at building a winner. Their success in reaching back-to-back AFC championship games in 2021 and 2022 all came down to quarterback Joe Burrow, carrying the load. He took aim at the team's leadership structure next. Ownership comes across a stingy, led by an owner in his 90s who stays hands off. There's no official general manager overseeing football operations, leaving head coach Zach Taylor to juggle too much.

1:00Taylor often drops the ball on defense, according to Smith. That unit has struggled badly for years and losing Hendrickson only makes it worse. The Bengals keep finding ways to undermine their own progress. Fans and observers are buzzing about Smith's hot take. It highlights ongoing frustration with how Cincinnati handles his roster, especially after recent playoff runs faded. Take more debate as free agency heats up. DNN is sponsored by our partner, your pillow, your podcast, your moment, made for listening in bed, S-O-L-I-SoliPillow.com