Cincinnati Bengals
· 2026-07-15
Cincinnati Bengals offensive tackle Orlando Brown Jr. has made a bold statement about the team’s pass protection, declaring it the best in the NFL ahead of the 2026 season. The Bengals, coming off an 11th-place finish in the AFC with a 6-11 record and a one-game losing streak, are looking to rebound with a revamped offense and defense.
Brown, a key anchor of the Bengals’ offensive line, appeared on the 'Locked On Bengals' podcast and confidently stated, 'I really feel like we got the best pass protection unit in the NFL.' He cited the unit’s consistency and success, despite the challenges of last season, which saw three different quarterbacks—Joe Burrow, Jake Browning, and Joe Flacco—starting under center.
The Bengals’ offensive line struggled in 2025, finishing near the bottom of the NFL in pass block win rate. However, Brown’s confidence suggests a belief in the unit’s potential to turn things around. The Bengals retained key starters, including Brown, Amarius Mims, Ted Karras, and Dalton Risner, while adding depth with second-year lineman Dylan Fairchild.
With training camp approaching, the Bengals’ starting offensive line is expected to feature Brown at left tackle, Mims at right tackle, Karras at center, Risner at right guard, and Fairchild at left guard. The unit will have its first test in Week 1 against the Tampa Bay Buccaneers on September 13, 2026. If Brown’s bold claim holds true, the Bengals’ offense could see a significant boost in protection for Burrow and the passing game.