Bengals’ Al Golden is poised to use Joseph Ossai frequently next season

Ossai may finally be primed for a breakout season

The Cincinnati Bengals haven’t been able to get much production out of defensive end Joseph Ossai since drafting him in the third round of the 2021 NFL Draft. Ossai, who played collegiately at Texas, has spent the last three seasons with the Bengals and has totaled just three starts.

He has played in 47 games, and at the end of last season, Ossai really started to put on a show, ending the year with career-best figures across the board. He had five sacks to go along with four tackles for loss. His 46 tackles and 15 quarterback hits were the most he has had in a single season as well.

With the Bengals already having lost Sam Hubbard to retirement and potentially losing Trey Hendrickson, who has totaled 35 sacks in the last two seasons, the team is going to need production on the offensive line.

Ossai could be that guy, and he clearly sees a spot for himself after speaking with new defensive coordinator Al Golden. Here’s how he phrased that conversation and how he sees himself set for a breakout year in 2025.

“They see me doing what I was doing this last six, seven games with my motor. The way (Golden) was talking to me, he liked the way I played, and it sounded like he’s willing to give me a chance to use those attributes on the field in his defense,” Ossai said recently during his press conference.

The Bengals are going to be in desperate need of pass-rush help, so anything they can get from Ossai is going to be useful.

With Hendrickson’s status still looming over the team, it appears at least one end of the defensive line may be solved, especially if Ossai can continue his performance level from the last few months of the 2024 season.