Paul Dehner Jr Twitter

In an era when sports journalism increasingly feels like a commodity—interchangeable takes, recycled opinions, and manufactured controversy—Paul Dehner Jr. stands out as senior Bengals writer for The Athletic and host of "The Growler" podcast . His X (formerly Twitter) presence has become required reading for Cincinnati Bengals fans, not because he breaks every story first, but because he understands something more valuable: context, nuance, and the emotional investment that turns football coverage into community.

Once dubbed "the man who set social media on fire," Dehner has spent over fifteen years covering the Bengals, building a reputation that extends well beyond Cincinnati. His work appears not just in The Athletic, but has been featured in The New York Times, USA Today, and Bleacher Report , among others. Yet it's on social media where his influence becomes most apparent—where analysis meets accessibility, and where fans don't just consume content but engage with it.

The Evolution of a Beat Reporter

Dehner reflected on his longevity covering the team in a September 2024 post: "One of my favorite moments every year on opening day. Back on the pregame show 15 minutes before kickoff. Never lose appreciation for how lucky I am to get to do this job, even 15 years after I covered my first Bengals game" .

That gratitude translates into his work. While many sports journalists treat their beat as a stepping stone to national platforms, Dehner has invested in becoming the definitive voice on the Bengals. He doesn't just report what happens; he explains why it matters, contextualizes it within franchise history, and connects it to the broader NFL landscape.

His Twitter feed serves multiple purposes simultaneously: breaking news, thoughtful analysis, fan interaction, and promotional platform for his deeper work. When the Bengals defense struggled in 2024, Dehner didn't just report the statistics—he asked seven experts with unique perspectives about whether the defense was "salvageable," offering potential fixes and honest assessments . That approach—seeking multiple angles rather than presenting a single narrative—has become his signature.

Building The Growler: Podcast as Community

Dehner's podcast, "The Growler," features a rotating cast including Mo Egger of ESPN1530, Charlie Goldsmith of Fox19, Jay Morrison of Sports Illustrated, and comedian Mark Chalifoux . The show runs four episodes weekly, covering everything from granular film breakdowns to philosophical debates about franchise direction to comedic takes on the week's storylines.

The podcast exemplifies modern sports media—it's not just about information delivery but entertainment and community building. In March 2025, when the Bengals dominated offseason headlines with contract disputes and organizational drama, Dehner fired up "Who Dey Night" for a special live show, drawing over 139,000 views .

That kind of engagement doesn't happen by accident. It comes from years of earning trust, demonstrating expertise, and—crucially—showing that you care about the same things your audience cares about. Dehner doesn't talk down to Bengals fans; he talks with them, acknowledging their frustrations while providing the insider perspective they crave.

The Art of Twitter Journalism

On X, Dehner balances multiple roles with apparent ease. He breaks roster news—posting inactive lists and healthy scratches before games —while also offering wry observations that capture the absurdity and joy of following professional football. When the Browns named Joe Flacco their Week 1 starter in 2025, Dehner noted: "Bengals will face Joe Flacco in the opener. This sentence was also true in 2008" .

That blend of institutional memory and humor resonates because it acknowledges the circular nature of sports narratives. Nothing is entirely new; patterns repeat, and recognizing those patterns creates connection between reporter and audience.

His Twitter presence also showcases his deeper reporting. When Netflix's "Quarterback" Season 2 featured Joe Burrow, Dehner wrote an analysis of why the private quarterback agreed to the project, exploring Burrow's balance between craving normalcy and his desire to grow the game . The story demonstrated what separates great beat reporting from adequate coverage—understanding not just what happened, but why it happened and what it reveals about the people involved.

The Human Side of Sports Business

Perhaps Dehner's greatest strength is humanizing the business side of football without losing sight of its entertainment value. In July 2025, he appeared on the "Go Long" podcast to discuss the Bengals' "blurred lines of business and football," tackling contract disputes with first-round pick Shemar Stewart and sack leader Trey Hendrickson .

These aren't just contract disputes—they're stories about leverage, timing, organizational philosophy, and human psychology. Dehner consistently emphasizes understanding team priorities: "I think they know where their priorities are. They're the ones that everybody knows. Defensive tackle, they know they have to get more" .

That kind of clarity—explaining the "why" behind roster decisions rather than just the "what"—helps fans understand the game within the game. It transforms casual followers into educated consumers of football news, capable of understanding not just that a move happened, but why it made sense (or didn't) within the franchise's broader strategy.

Why His Voice Matters

In November 2025, as the NFL season reaches its critical stretch and playoff pictures crystallize, Dehner's Twitter feed continues serving as the central hub for Bengals information and analysis. But its value extends beyond simple reporting.

In an age of hot-take culture and engagement-bait journalism, Dehner represents something increasingly rare: a reporter who's built his following through expertise, consistency, and genuine respect for his audience. He's described by peers as an "exceptional reporter" who brings both gritty details and philosophical debates to his coverage .

The Bengals beat isn't always the easiest assignment. The franchise has historically frustrated fans with conservative management approaches, puzzling decisions, and a tendency toward frugality that contrasts sharply with big-spending competitors. One podcast reviewer captured the unique challenge: "The Bengals are a historically frustrating franchise even when they are winning. Paul understands the psyche of Bengals fans and helps us make sense of it all" .

That understanding—that empathy combined with expertise—explains why Dehner's Twitter account matters. It's not just a news feed; it's a lens through which thousands of fans process their relationship with their team.

The Broader Shift in Sports Media

Dehner's success on Twitter reflects broader changes in how sports journalism works. Traditional media hierarchies have flattened. Beat reporters no longer wait for newspapers to publish their work; they share insights in real-time, build direct relationships with audiences, and create multimedia content across platforms.

The most successful reporters in this environment aren't just skilled writers—they're community managers, podcast hosts, video personalities, and social media strategists. They understand that modern audiences want access, authenticity, and multiple ways to consume content.

Dehner embodies this evolution while maintaining journalistic standards. He breaks news but verifies it first. He offers opinions but grounds them in reporting. He engages with fans but maintains professional boundaries. It's a difficult balance, but one that defines successful sports journalism in 2025.

As the Bengals navigate another crucial season with Super Bowl aspirations and Joe Burrow leading the offense, Paul Dehner Jr.'s Twitter presence remains essential infrastructure for the fanbase. In an industry increasingly dominated by aggregation and algorithmic content, he offers something more valuable: original reporting, thoughtful analysis, and a genuine understanding of why sports matter to the people who care about them. That's not just good journalism—it's a reminder of what journalism should be.