Bengals' Andrei Iosivas reveals abuse he received during 2025 season

The 2025 NFL season did not go as wide receiver Andrei Iosivas and other members of the Cincinnati Bengals envisioned, as the Bengals ultimately missed the playoffs for a third straight year and finished the campaign with a record of 6-11. 

While speaking with reporters on Tuesday, Iosivas revealed that he dealt with severe online abuse as he was responsible for a team-high five drops during the season. 

Andrei Iosivas received disgusting direct messages online amid down season

"I feel like last year I was in my head a little bit," Iosivas explained, per Ben Baby of 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. So it got in my head a little bit when people -- you know, when your DMs [direct messages] are flooded with people telling you to kill yourself."

A 2023 sixth-round draft pick, Iosivas tallied 10 touchdown receptions across his first two pro seasons. However, Bengals quarterback Joe Burrow suffered a serious toe injury in Week 2 of the 2025 campaign that kept him out of action until Week 13. Iosivas' numbers ultimately dipped, and he finished Week 18 with just 33 receptions for 435 yards and a pair of touchdowns. 

"It makes me angry, honestly," Iosivas said about the abuse as he became emotional. 

Andrei Iosivas responds to Bengals drafting Colbie Young

The Bengals selected Georgia wide receiver Colbie Young in the fourth round of the 2026 NFL Draft. Meanwhile, Iosivas is in the final year of his rookie contract and could become surplus to requirements in Cincinnati if Young looks ready to handle WR3 duties for the club by the time the preseason wraps up. 

"I just do me and whatever happens, [happens]," Iosivas said about his uncertain future. "I feel like I've been fighting for that spot for three years, so I don't really care. ...Just not letting outside noise get to me and letting circumstances get to me. I know I'm a great player, so [I'm] not letting people's opinions or things in the building kind of just irritate me."

Such a defiant mindset could help Iosivas earn a second pro contract, either from the Bengals or a different club.