ESPN Ranks Bengals, Broncos Low in NFL Under-25 Talent Lists

Recent ESPN rankings highlight challenges faced by both the Denver Broncos and Cincinnati Bengals regarding their young talent pools and coaching evaluations. The Broncos were ranked last among NFL teams for players under 25, lacking any blue-chip young talent, partially due to key players aging out of this category. Meanwhile, the Bengals were ranked 25th for young talent under 25, with notable players like Ja'Marr Chase and Chase Brown aging out, leaving the team reliant on younger contributors such as Amarius Mims and Shemar Stewart to step up. Bengals head coach Zac Taylor also faces scrutiny, ranked 17th among NFL coaching staffs, with criticism on his offensive impact and doubts about defensive coordinator Al Golden's performance. Despite missing the playoffs the past two seasons and limited offseason acquisitions making national top lists, the Bengals still possess a roster led by quarterback Joe Burrow, making this a critical period for both player development and coaching effectiveness. Both teams' struggles with youth talent and coaching stability reflect broader challenges in maintaining consistent NFL competitiveness.