Cincinnati Bengals
· 2026-07-14
The Cincinnati Bengals sit 11th in the American Football Conference with a 6-11 record and a five-game losing streak as they brace for a must-win offseason.
Joe Burrow’s offhand remarks about needing to have fun sparked a media firestorm last season. The Cincinnati Bengals quarterback turned 29 during a midweek press conference, then followed it with a dismal 24-0 home loss to the Baltimore Ravens. Burrow later insisted his comments had nothing to do with Cincinnati, but the damage was done. The Bengals limped to a 6-11 finish in 2025, missing the playoffs for the third straight year despite Burrow’s MVP-caliber play in key stretches.
Burrow is now 29 and the Bengals can’t afford another season like 2025. The team’s defense collapsed while the offensive line failed to protect him, leading to injuries and missed games. Cincinnati’s 19-16 record in Burrow’s last 35 starts includes a lone playoff berth in 2021 and a 12-4 follow-up in 2022. Without another deep run soon, Burrow’s prime could slip away like Dan Marino’s after his early Super Bowl loss.
The Bengals tried to quiet the noise by trading for defensive tackle Dexter Lawrence II. Cincinnati sent the 10th overall pick to the New York Giants for Lawrence, the first top-10 swap for a non-QB since the Raiders landed Randy Moss in 2005. Burrow called the moves “exciting” and said he’s thrilled with the offseason push to get better.
The Bengals open on September 13 against the Tampa Bay Buccaneers, fresh off a 6-11 season of their own. Fixing the trenches is job one. The offensive line surrendered too many sacks last year, and the defense hemorrhaged yards after losing key starters. Lawrence’s arrival shores up the interior, but the unit still needs edge rushers and linebacker help.
Burrow’s contract situation looms large. He turns 30 in December and the Bengals must decide whether to extend him before 2026. A long-term deal would signal Cincinnati’s belief that this core can still contend. A short-term pact risks another summer of uncertainty.
The Bengals can’t waste another offseason. Their next game is September 13 against Tampa Bay. After three straight misses, the window is closing on Burrow’s prime.