Bengals WR Andrei Iosivas Confronts Online Abuse and WR3 Competition

Cincinnati wide receiver Andrei Iosivas said a flood of direct-message threats after his five drops and reduced production in 2025 left him feeling mentally unsettled. He reported receiving messages urging him to kill himself and said the experience made him angry. Iosivas said he is ignoring the outside noise and focusing on his own preparation.

ESPN

After a breakout sophomore season in 2024, Iosivas’s output fell in 2025 to 33 catches, 435 yards and two touchdowns, with a team-high five drops. The drop coincided with quarterback Joe Burrow missing nine games and the continued dominance of Pro Bowl receivers Ja’Marr Chase and Tee Higgins, who together captured about 46 % of the Bengals’ total targets. Iosivas entered 2025 on a rookie contract now in its final year.

ESPN

Head coach Zac Taylor praised Iosivas’s work ethic, describing him as a veteran-like player who remains young. He said he values Iosivas’s mindset, attitude and effort, and noted the team remains enthusiastic about him and expects continued improvement. The organization also announced the selection of rookie receiver Colbie Young in the fourth round, reopening competition for the No. 3 receiver slot.

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Sources differ on Iosivas’s 2024 reception total—one cites 36 catches, another cites 51. Both agree on six touchdowns, but yardage figures vary slightly. No data on Iosivas’s specific target share is provided.

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The incident highlights mental-health risks athletes face when performance declines and social-media criticism intensifies. It also shows how target allocation among star receivers can affect younger players’ development, influencing contract negotiations and roster depth.

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The Bengals’ selection of Colbie Young opens a direct contest for the WR3 role Iosivas has held for three seasons. Iosivas said he will “just do me” and let the outcome unfold. The team also completed a trade for defensive tackle Dexter Lawrence, a move Iosivas described as “holy s—t!”

ESPN

• “I had those drops in those games and people were telling me to kill myself and all that kind of stuff. I never had that kind of stuff happen to me before.” — Andrei Iosivas, Bengals wide receiver

ESPN

• “I feel like last year I was in my head a little bit. ... People were telling me to kill myself and all that kind of stuff. I never had that kind of stuff happen to me before. ... It makes me angry, honestly.” — Andrei Iosivas

Sportskeeda

• “I love his mindset, his attitude, and the way he works.” — Zac Taylor, Bengals head coach

Sportskeeda

• “Just not letting outside noise get to me and letting circumstances get to me.” — Andrei Iosivas

Sportskeeda