06/12/2026
Cincinnati Bengals: Big, bold……bravo
Let’s take a second to calculate and appreciate just how aggressively the Bengals have attacked this offseason.
-Executed a blockbuster: Went out of the box in a modus operandi shift to acquire the best interior defensive lineman in the game, trading for Dexter Lawrence in exchange for the 10th pick overall.
-Revamped and stacked the defensive line with the free agent signings of Boye Mafe and Jonathan Allen.
-Doubled down on the DL by drafting SEC Defensive Player of the Year Cashius Howell.
-Rebuilt the secondary, adding elite tacklers: Added the best safety on the free agent market in Bryan Cook, and the versatile Kyle Dugger. Drafted a long and lanky corner in Tocario Davis.
-Added versatile offensive linemen in the draft, including the potential successor to Ted Karras at center, Connor Lew.
-Restructured Joe Burrow’s contract, freeing up about $10M in salary cap space. Giving the front office room/flexibility to add to the roster later in the summer, pursue extensions with players.
-Signed all seven draft picks by early June.
-Per Paul Dehner Jr. of The Athletic, they are engaged in conversation to lock up 25-year old DJ Turner with an extension, along with talks involving multiple others.
-Eliminated the drama of Trey Hendrickson and contract fights.
-Re-upped Joe Flacco, their QB insurance policy and respected veteran leader.
Summary:
This is the offseason fans and media have pounded the table for. The urgency from three consecutive seasons missing the playoffs is palpable. The front office recognized a championship window and the ticking clock on the franchise QB, and pounced. They got after it, rolled the dice, took risks, even made themselves uncomfortable.
Is there work to do? Sure. I’d still like a veteran linebacker added to the mix. And I’d take a veteran swing tackle. But I defer to Joe Burrow who declared they have "the most talented roster we've had since I've been here.”
Can I get a ‘Who Dey!”
Bravo.
