So, you’re looking at the screen or checking your phone, wondering: is the Bengals winning?
If you mean right this second, on January 15, 2026, the short answer is no—because they aren't playing. The Bengals finished their season about ten days ago. It was a rough one. They ended the 2025-2026 campaign with a 6-11 record after a heartbreaking 20-18 loss to the Cleveland Browns on January 4th.
That game basically summed up the whole year. Joe Burrow threw three touchdowns, Ja'Marr Chase caught the go-ahead score with less than two minutes left, and then... the defense let it slip away. A 49-yard field goal from Cleveland’s Andre Szmyt as time expired sent the Bengals into the offseason with a losing record and no playoff spot for the third year in a row.
The Reality of the 2025-2026 Season
Honestly, the "winning" part of the Bengals’ identity has felt a bit shaky lately. You've got a roster that looks like a Super Bowl contender on paper, but the results just haven't been there.
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Injuries were the biggest thief. Joe Burrow missed nine games this year due to a surgical toe injury. When he was on the field, he was elite—leading the AFC in touchdown pass percentage—but the team went 1-8 without him. That's a massive hole to climb out of.
Then there’s the defense. It’s been a revolving door of big plays and missed tackles. By the time the season wrapped up, the unit was ranked at the very bottom of the league. While guys like DJ Turner II and Jordan Battle showed flashes of being absolute stars, the group as a whole couldn't stop a nosebleed when it mattered most.
Why the Bengals Winning in 2026 is Still Possible
Despite the 6-11 record, there is a weird sense of optimism in Cincinnati. Bengals president Mike Brown actually doubled down on the current leadership, giving a public vote of confidence to head coach Zac Taylor and Duke Tobin.
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Why? Because the foundation is actually pretty solid.
- Chase Brown just had his first 1,000-yard rushing season.
- Ja'Marr Chase and Tee Higgins are still the most dangerous duo in football.
- Amarius Mims and Dylan Fairchild have stabilized an offensive line that used to be a disaster.
The problem isn't the stars; it's the depth and the defensive scheme. Duke Tobin basically admitted last week that they need more "leadership and accountability" on the defensive side. They are heading into this offseason with nearly $60 million in cap space and the 10th overall pick in the draft.
What the Experts are Saying
If you look at the early 2026 mock drafts, everyone is pointing the Bengals toward the trenches. A to Z Sports is high on Miami’s Rueben Bain Jr., comparing his potential impact to the legendary Geno Atkins. Others, like ESPN's Field Yates, think they might go after a rangy playmaker like Oregon safety Dillon Thieneman to fix the secondary.
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The strategy is clear: surround Burrow with a defense that doesn't require him to score 35 points every single Sunday just to have a chance.
Is the Bengals Winning the Offseason?
Right now, "winning" for Cincinnati means being aggressive. They didn't pay Joe Burrow and Ja'Marr Chase the biggest contracts in franchise history just to sit at home in January.
The fan base is restless. You can feel it on social media and in the stands at Paycor Stadium. There’s a limit to how many "moral victories" a city can take when they know they have a generational talent at quarterback.
Actionable Steps for Bengals Fans
If you're following the team through the spring, here is what you should actually be watching for:
- Free Agency (Starts March): Watch the defensive line. If the Bengals don't sign a high-end pass rusher or a massive interior run-stuffer, they aren't serious about fixing the 32nd-ranked defense.
- The Franchise Tag: Keep an eye on Trey Hendrickson. He’s a cornerstone, but his contract situation is the first domino that needs to fall.
- Draft Prep (April 23-25): The 10th pick is prime territory. Whether it's Rueben Bain Jr. or a lockdown corner, this pick has to be a Day 1 starter.
- Health Updates: Joe Burrow’s toe surgery recovery is the only thing that really matters for Week 1 of 2026.
The Bengals aren't winning on the field today, but the next three months will determine if they ever get back to that Super Bowl window. It's going to be a loud, expensive, and potentially "bonkers" offseason in the Queen City.