Bengals give their players something they asked for last year right before training camp begins

There's a new full-time employee for the Cincinnati Bengals. She doesn't coach, scout, or handle any finances.

Her name is Lindsay Langford, and she's now the Bengals' sports dietician.

Per ESPN's Ben Baby, Cincinnati hired Langford to the position along with other staff alterations such as Trey Brown, Mike Potts, and Stevan Radicevic being named assistant general managers.

The key with Langford is Bengals players themselves pushed for her to be hired, and they got what they asked for.

Bengals take another step in giving what their players want

Langford's hiring stems from the NFLPA's 2025 Team Report Cards that were released this past February. Cincinnati ranked dead last in three specific categories, two of them involving food. They were 32nd in Food/Dining Area (F) and Nutritionist/Dietician (C).

These bottom-of-the-league ratings were because players wanted Langford, who was just a consultant at the time, to be with the team full-time. 

Another notable change: The Bengals now list Lindsay Langford as the team's sports dietitian.

Bengals ranked last among all teams in nutrition/diet in this year's NFLPA survey. Players wanted Langford to be hired full-time instead of just as a consultant.

— Ben Baby (@Ben_Baby) July 18, 2025

There are still a few areas where the team lags behind the rest of the league. First, the players want to see continued improvements to the food program, including a full-time dietitian to maximize their training, and an even greater number of meals provided for them at the facility. — Bengals 2025 NFLPA Report Card

Not only does Langford presumably get a promotion in her role, the roster can be pleased knowing their dietary needs can be met. 

And their bosses listened to their pleas, just like they did last year in overhauling their locker room. Mind you, that was graded as a D+ in 2024, and improved to an A+ this year. Expect the F and C grades they were given last year to make a jump as well. 

Food was not the only dire issue according to the players. "Treatment of Families" was given a league-worst F- as well, and it should be the next area the franchise focuses on this coming season.

If nothing else, the last two years have shown the team can make progress when it comes to appeasing its players. Slow progress, but progress nonetheless.