Cincinnati Bengals fans might cringe at Pepsi’s latest commercial, which seems to take a subtle jab at their beloved team. The new ad, promoting both Pepsi and the upcoming *Gladiator II* movie, features a bizarre mix of NFL stars in gladiator gear—and, yes, they literally cage Bengal tigers.
The commercial opens with two fantasy football enthusiasts transported back to the Roman Empire, where they witness four gladiators entering the coliseum. For Bengals fans, these gladiators will look uncomfortably familiar. NFL stars Travis Kelce (Chiefs), Justin Jefferson (Vikings), Josh Allen (Bills), and Derrick Henry (Ravens) don gladiator costumes adorned with NFL shields and hints of their team colors. While the sight is supposed to be epic, they look, well, pretty ridiculous.
Things escalate when Megan Thee Stallion makes an entrance, silencing Kelce just as he starts to speak and releasing a pack of Bengal tigers into the arena. What follows is a chaotic yet highly choreographed spectacle as Henry stiff-arms a tiger, Allen locks one up after a perfectly thrown pass, and Jefferson treats the Roman crowd to a Griddy celebration.
Though Bengals fans might not appreciate the metaphorical caging of Bengal tigers, the commercial does deliver some playful NFL theatrics. Pepsi clearly had fun with the ad, but defeating the actual Bengals on the football field won’t be so simple.
Cincinnati will face Kelce and the Chiefs in Week 2, and Henry’s Ravens twice as divisional rivals. While Jefferson’s Vikings aren’t on the Bengals’ schedule this year, there’s no shortage of tension between Cincinnati wide receiver Ja’Marr Chase and his former LSU teammate Jefferson, with Chase aiming to top Jefferson’s new record-breaking contract. As for Allen, the Bengals could see him and the Bills in the playoffs, where Joe Burrow currently holds a 1-0 edge.
In the meantime, Bengals fans will hope this Pepsi commercial is the last time they see their tigers caged. Until then, they’ll sip their Pepsi and get ready for *Gladiator II*.
