Steelers player says he hates playing Bengals most due to trash talk

The Cincinnati Bengals have a newfound target on their collective backs after solidifying themselves as contenders over the last two seasons.

That’s especially the case in an AFC North they have now won two seasons in a row. Some of it, apparently, has to do with the trash talking that goes down on the field, too.

Steelers tight end Zach Gentry just appeared on the Steel Here podcast and agreed with fellow tight end Pat Freiermuth that he hates playing the Bengals the most:

“It’s just true. There’s a lot of s***-talking on the field when we play them. It seems like it’s a little more physical. The Ravens are the same way, but it’s different. It feels like there’s a little bit more respect there between the Ravens and the Steelers on the field. A little less jawing, but definitely physical. It feels like there’s a lot of s***-talking lately in the Bengals games, so I’d probably have to say them”.

It’s an interesting dynamic to look at. Bengals fans have long had to hear about how the Steelers and Ravens have the real rivalry in the AFC North. It’s worth wondering if now that the Bengals are contending it skews the perception of the team a bit in this regard as they intrude on the normal way of things in the division.

Then again, most aren’t privy to what actually gets said on the field itself. The Bengals didn’t have any problems sort of stepping into the villain role during this last playoff sprint either after being slighted by the league’s stunning rule alterations and additions.

Regardless, the rivalry isn’t going to get any more friendly. Notables from this year’s games included a Steelers player ejected for an unnecessary headshot and Mike Tomlin and others responding in the media to Bengals linebacker Germaine Pratt. Ja’Marr Chase was fined twice and La’el Collins took shots at T.J. Watt.