The NFL never fails to deliver drama both on and off the field, and the Cincinnati Bengals have found themselves smack in the middle of it as the 2025 regular season barrels toward its conclusion. With playoff hopes high in Cincinnati, the team made a headline-grabbing move on December 17, 2025, by claiming wide receiver Ke'Shawn Williams off the waiver wire. The move, while intended to shore up the Bengals’ special teams unit, has had ripple effects far beyond the Queen City—especially in the rival camp of the Pittsburgh Steelers.
According to The Athletic’s Mike DeFabo, the Steelers had been eyeing Williams, hoping he’d clear waivers so they could bring him back into their fold. But the Bengals had other ideas. With a quick claim, Cincinnati not only addressed a pressing need but also dealt a subtle blow to a division rival. It’s the kind of chess move that can add extra spice to an already heated AFC North rivalry, particularly with both teams eyeing postseason berths.
The Bengals’ need for help at wide receiver and on special teams became urgent after Charlie Jones suffered an injury the previous week. Jones, a key contributor as both a receiver and return man, left a significant void. The timing couldn’t have been worse, with the playoff race tightening and every snap carrying extra weight. To further complicate matters, the Bengals had recently parted ways with Jermaine Burton, a player who had shown promise as a returner during the summer but whose relationship with the team soured to the point of a release. That left the Bengals’ depth chart looking thin, especially when it came to players with experience in the return game.
Enter Ke'Shawn Williams. While not a household name, Williams brings a fresh set of legs and the kind of hunger that often sparks late-season surprises. The Bengals’ current wide receiver depth chart now reads: Ja’Marr Chase, Tee Higgins, Andre Iosvias, Charlie Jones (injured), Mitchell Tinsley, and the newly added Williams. With Jones sidelined and Burton gone, Williams finds himself with a golden opportunity—not just to contribute on special teams, but to carve out a role that could extend beyond this season. For a team on the playoff bubble, every roster spot and every return matters.
The ripple effect of this move is felt most keenly in Pittsburgh. The Steelers, who had hoped to quietly reclaim Williams, now find themselves forced to look elsewhere as they, too, push for a postseason spot. It’s a reminder that in the NFL, roster management is as much about strategy as it is about talent. Sometimes, a single waiver claim can tilt the balance, even if only slightly, in a rivalry that’s been defined by razor-thin margins for decades.
But the Bengals’ maneuvering doesn’t stop at the waiver wire. As the team looks to solidify its playoff credentials, questions about the future of key personnel loom large—none more so than Trey Hendrickson. The star edge rusher has been a cornerstone of Cincinnati’s defense since signing with the team in 2021. Over 72 games, Hendrickson has racked up an eye-popping 61 sacks and earned four Pro Bowl selections. His 2024 season was particularly memorable, as he led the NFL with 17.5 sacks and was named a first-team All-Pro.
Yet as of December 2025, Hendrickson finds himself on injured reserve, his contract set to expire at the end of the season. While a trade is off the table, his impending free agency has become a hot topic. Despite his production, the Bengals have reportedly been reluctant to commit big money to Hendrickson in the long term. That’s raised eyebrows around the league, especially given Cincinnati’s ongoing defensive struggles. Many observers believe Hendrickson would thrive with a franchise boasting a stronger defensive infrastructure, where he could capitalize on more one-on-one opportunities and perhaps chase another All-Pro nod.
It’s a situation that mirrors broader themes across the NFL this season. Several star players have found themselves at crossroads, questioning whether their current teams are the best fit for their talents. Justin Jefferson, for example, entered the 2025 campaign as the league’s all-time leader in receiving yards per game, only to see his production dip dramatically amid quarterback instability in Minnesota. “He’s just not getting the ball accurately,” some analysts have noted, pointing to rookie J.J. McCarthy’s growing pains as a key factor in Jefferson’s struggles. While a trade seems unlikely for now, there’s little doubt Jefferson’s numbers would look better elsewhere.
Elsewhere, Jeffery Simmons of the Tennessee Titans has quietly put together another stellar season, ranking second in the NFL in PFSN’s DT Impact grading with a 91.9 score. Yet his efforts have gone largely unnoticed as the Titans limp toward another top draft pick. Simmons, now in his seventh year with Tennessee, could be a prime candidate for a trade that would benefit both player and team—much like the Jets’ blockbuster deal involving Quinnen Williams earlier this season.
Even Myles Garrett, on the verge of breaking the NFL’s single-season sack record, finds himself in a bittersweet position with the 3-11 Cleveland Browns. Garrett’s dominance is unquestioned, but the Browns’ struggles have kept him away from the biggest stages. While he recently inked a massive four-year extension, the possibility of a future trade—however remote—looms as Cleveland weighs its long-term plans.
And then there’s Tyreek Hill. After a stellar start to the season, Hill’s campaign was derailed by an ACL tear. At 31 and coming off a major injury, Hill’s future with the Miami Dolphins is uncertain, especially after his cryptic “I’m out” comment at the end of 2024. While he later walked back the statement, Miami’s playoff miss in 2025 has fueled speculation that Hill could be on the move, perhaps to a contender looking for one last piece to push them over the top.
Back in Cincinnati, the focus remains squarely on the present. The Bengals, with playoff aspirations alive and well, are banking on their latest moves to pay dividends. Ke'Shawn Williams may not be the headline-grabbing acquisition fans dream of, but in the NFL, it’s often the under-the-radar additions that make the biggest difference come January. With a wide receiver corps led by Ja’Marr Chase and Tee Higgins, and a defense hoping for one last surge from its stars, the Bengals are poised for a fascinating finish to the 2025 season.
As the playoff picture comes into sharper focus, every roster move, every snap, and every decision takes on added significance. The Bengals’ strategic claim of Williams and the looming questions around Hendrickson’s future add yet another layer of intrigue to an already captivating NFL landscape. Whether these moves will be enough to propel Cincinnati deep into the postseason remains to be seen, but one thing’s for sure—the Bengals are all in, and the rest of the league is watching closely.
