It is a strange time to be a Bengals fan. You’ve probably spent the last few months staring at the standings and wondering how a roster with this much talent ended up 6-11. It's frustrating. Honestly, it’s downright confusing for a city that was tasting Super Bowl confetti just a few years ago. But the NFL moves fast, and the Cincinnati Bengals news rumors mill is already churning at a pace that suggests the front office isn't planning on a slow rebuild.
The noise is loud. People are arguing about Zac Taylor's job security, Joe Burrow's toe, and why the defense looked like a sieve for most of 2025.
We need to talk about what’s actually happening behind the scenes. Forget the generic national media takes for a second. The reality in the Queen City is a mix of high-stakes financial gambling and a desperate need for defensive leadership that simply wasn't there last year.
The Zac Taylor Verdict and the Coaching Carousel
Let's address the elephant in the room immediately. Mike Brown made it official: Zac Taylor and Duke Tobin are staying put for 2026. If you were hoping for a total regime change after three years of missing the playoffs, I get the disappointment.
But here is the thing about the Bengals—they prioritize stability (and their checkbook) over knee-jerk reactions. Brown basically said he still trusts them to lead the team back to a championship. Is the seat hot? You bet it is. But Taylor isn't going anywhere yet.
The real drama is in the assistant ranks.
Dan Pitcher, the offensive coordinator who has been in Burrow's ear since 2018, is a hot name for the Cleveland Browns head coaching job. If he leaves, keep a very close eye on Brian Callahan. Yeah, the same Brian Callahan who just got fired by the Titans. He’s already interviewing for OC jobs around the league, but if Pitcher exits, a reunion in Cincinnati makes almost too much sense. Taylor and Callahan are close. Burrow knows him. It’s the kind of "safe" move the Bengals love.
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On the defensive side, Al Golden is coming back. That might be a tough pill to swallow after the unit finished 31st in yards allowed. Taylor is betting that Golden just needs more than one season to scrub away the old system and get his guys in place. It's a massive gamble.
Joe Burrow and the "Adversity" of 2025
Joe Burrow summed up his 2025 season with one word: "Adversity."
He isn't lying. A Grade 3 turf toe injury in September usually ends a season. He had surgery, missed nine games, and then—in true Burrow fashion—came back in November like he was trying to win a bet. He looked sharp, too. He went 5-3 in his starts and threw 17 touchdowns against just 5 picks.
But he admitted it messed with him. Not just the physical pain of pushing off that left foot, but the mental exhaustion of constant rehab.
The good news? The toe is structurally sound now. He’s had the off-season to actually train instead of just "recovering." If 2026 is going to be different, it starts with #9 being 100% from the first snap of training camp. No more slow starts. No more "I'm just happy to be here" energy. The window is still open, but the hinges are getting a little rusty.
The Financial Tightrope: Chase, Higgins, and the Cap
There was a lot of talk last year that the Bengals couldn't keep both Ja’Marr Chase and Tee Higgins. Well, they did. And it cost a fortune.
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Chase got his $161 million extension, making him the highest-paid non-QB in history. Higgins followed with a four-year, $115 million deal. It’s a receiver's dream and a cap manager's nightmare.
Because of those deals, the Cincinnati Bengals news rumors regarding free agency are going to be a bit... modest. They have about $65 million to $79 million in "Top 51" cap space, which sounds like a lot until you realized how many holes they have to fill on defense.
The Defensive Exodus
Expect a makeover on the edge. Trey Hendrickson, the guy who has been carrying the pass rush for years, is likely gone. Rumors are swirling that both sides are ready to move on. He wants one last big payday, and the Bengals aren't keen on giving it to a 32-year-old defensive end.
Joseph Ossai is another name to watch. He had a solid "prove-it" year in 2025, but he's going to hit the open market. If the Bengals lose both, they are essentially starting from scratch with their pass rush outside of Myles Murphy and Shemar Stewart.
Draft Targets: The No. 10 Pick Dilemma
Holding the 10th overall pick is a blessing and a curse. They need a game-changer, specifically on defense.
The dream scenario for Cincinnati is a run on quarterbacks in the top nine. Every QB taken is one more elite defender falling to them. With Oregon's Dante Moore staying in school, that quarterback pool got a little shallower, which actually hurts the Bengals' chances of a top-tier edge rusher falling to No. 10.
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Real Names to Watch
- Caleb Downs (S, Ohio State): If he’s there at 10, Duke Tobin should sprint to the podium. The secondary was a disaster last year. Geno Stone struggled, and Jordan Battle needs a high-level partner. Downs is a "chess piece" player who fixes a lot of problems.
- Rueben Bain Jr. (EDGE, Miami): If Hendrickson leaves, Bain is the explosive, violent replacement they need. He has that "bend" that scouts drool over.
- David Bailey (EDGE, Texas Tech): He led the FBS in pressures. He’s a flamethrower. Putting him opposite Myles Murphy would give the Bengals a young, cheap duo for the next four years.
Free Agency: Searching for "Cheap" Leadership
The Bengals won't be big spenders, but they have to find some veterans. Duke Tobin admitted they need "more leadership" on the defensive side.
Keep an eye on John Franklin-Myers. He’s a veteran DT who can actually rush the passer from the interior. The Bengals' current tackles are great at stopping the run, but they provide zero pressure on third down.
Another interesting name? Coby Bryant. Yeah, the former Bearcat. He’s been playing safety for Seattle and has been playing it well. A homecoming for a versatile DB who can play nickel or safety would be a very "Bengals" move—familiar, affordable, and effective.
What Needs to Happen Next
If you're looking for actionable takeaways from the current state of the team, here is how the next few months should play out:
- Restructure the Big Three: To actually sign anyone of note, the Bengals need to convert some of Burrow, Chase, and Higgins' base salaries into signing bonuses. This could free up nearly $50 million in immediate space.
- The Secondary Overhaul: They cannot go into 2026 with the same safety rotation. Whether it’s drafting Caleb Downs or signing a veteran like Jaylinn Hawkins, the "explosive plays allowed" stat has to go down.
- Find a Real RB1: Chase Brown has flashes, but they need a thumper. Whether that's a mid-round draft pick or a cheap veteran, the run game was non-existent for stretches in 2025.
- The Hendrickson Resolution: If they aren't going to keep Trey, they need to trade him before or during the draft to recoup some value. Letting him walk for a future compensatory pick feels like a wasted opportunity for a team that needs help now.
The 2026 season isn't a "rebuilding" year. With Burrow, Chase, and Higgins under contract, it's a "refitting" year. The offense is there. The coaching is settled, for better or worse. Now, it's just a matter of whether they can build a defense that doesn't require Joe Burrow to score 40 points every Sunday just to have a chance.