Image Source: Matthew Minich
Key Takeaways:
- Joe Burrow led all quarterbacks in snaps, but played less than half of the team’s total offensive snaps
- Ja’Marr Chase was the leading receiver in terms of snaps, followed by Andrei Iosivas and Tee Higgins
- Drew Sample was the team’s top tight end in terms of snaps, with Noah Fant and Mike Gesicki also contributing
- The defensive tackle position was led by B.J. Hill and T.J. Slaton, with Kris Jenkins also playing a significant role
- Myles Murphy and Joseph Ossai were the top defensive ends in terms of snaps, with Trey Hendrickson and Shemar Stewart also contributing
Introduction to the Bengals’ Season
The Cincinnati Bengals had a mix of ups and downs throughout the season, with various players contributing to the team’s performance. As the season progressed, some players emerged as key contributors, while others saw their roles decrease. According to the article, "Joe Burrow (478) managed to edge out Joe Flacco (418) for the most snaps by a quarterback this season, but he still took less than half of the team’s total offensive snaps when you account for the Jake Browning (212) starts." This suggests that the quarterback position was a rotating door, with multiple players seeing significant playing time.
Wide Receiver Performance
The wide receiver position was led by Ja’Marr Chase, who played a whopping 987 snaps, followed by Andrei Iosivas with 851 snaps, and Tee Higgins with 769 snaps. As the article notes, "The only other player who took a significant amount of snaps over the course of the season was Mitchell Tinsley, who played 288 total snaps." This suggests that the Bengals had a clear top three at the wide receiver position, with Tinsley serving as a reliable backup. Tinsley’s highest weekly snap counts came in Week 12 against the Patriots and Week 13 against the Ravens, when Chase and Higgins were out, respectively.
Tight End Performance
At the tight end position, Drew Sample emerged as the clear leader, playing 595 snaps. As the article notes, "His role as a blocker is often underappreciated by fans." Sample’s blocking ability was a key factor in his high snap count, with Noah Fant and Mike Gesicki also contributing to the position. Fant had the most receptions and touchdowns among the tight ends, while Gesicki had the most targets and yards. As the article states, "Fant’s position above Gesicki is also a function of blocking ability."
Defensive Line Performance
The defensive tackle position was led by B.J. Hill and T.J. Slaton, who played 670 and 582 snaps, respectively. Kris Jenkins also played a significant role, taking 497 snaps before missing the final three weeks of the season. Jenkins’ snap count increased as the season progressed, and he became a key contributor to the defense. McKinnley Jackson also saw significant playing time, taking over Mike Pennel’s role midseason and performing well. As the article notes, "Indeed, both Jenkins and Jackson seem to be on the upswing heading into 2026."
Defensive End Performance
The defensive end position was led by Myles Murphy, who played 683 snaps, followed by Joseph Ossai, who played 616 snaps before missing the last three games. Trey Hendrickson and Shemar Stewart also contributed to the position, despite missing significant time due to injury. As the article notes, "As a result, both Cam Sample (234) and Cedric Johnson (207) also played roles." This suggests that the Bengals had to rely on multiple players to fill the void left by injured defensive ends.
Linebacker Performance
The linebacker position was led by Demetrius Knight Jr., who played 798 snaps, despite Barrett Carter playing every meaningful defensive snap from Week 6 on. Carter came close to matching Knight’s snap count, playing 792 snaps. Logan Wilson and Oren Burks also contributed to the position, despite Wilson missing the second half of the season. As the article notes, "He was followed relatively closely by Oren Burks, who played 340 snaps over the course of the season."
Cornerback Performance
The cornerback position was dominated by Dax Hill and D.J. Turner, who played 1012 and 974 snaps, respectively. However, the defense improved late in the season when it found a role for Jalen Davis and D.J. Ivy. Davis was promoted from the practice squad to take over the slot corner duties in Week 12 and played 270 snaps over the rest of the season. Ivey played 115 snaps, more than half of which were in the final three weeks of the season. As the article notes, "The defense improved late in the season when it found a role for Jalen Davis and D.J. Ivy." This suggests that the Bengals’ secondary was able to find a rhythm late in the season, which could bode well for the team’s future.
https://www.cincyjungle.com/cincinnati-bengals-analysis/184404/year-end-snap-count-takeaways