OTL: AFC North Preview – Cincinnati Bengals

OTL: AFC North Preview – Pittsburgh Steelers

OTL: AFC North Preview – Cleveland Browns

There is just one head coach returning to the AFC North in 2026, despite a 6-11 record and his third straight missed postseason. Zac Taylor will return for his eighth season with the Cincinnati Bengals, with two years remaining on his contract.

After a Super Bowl trip in 2021 and an AFC Championship appearance the following season, the Bengals have yet to return to the playoffs, posting a 24-27 record over that span. Putting one of the worst defenses in the NFL on the field hasn’t helped Cincinnati’s case. In 2025, the Bengals defense finished 31st in total yards allowed per game (380.9), 32nd in rushing yards allowed per game (147.1), and 30th in points allowed per game (28.9). The front office did its due diligence on bringing in help on the defensive side of the ball this offseason, an area that has been their Achilles heel in terms of success.

If the Bengals can clean up their defense, even slightly, it’s hard to imagine a team with so much star power not ending their small playoff drought.

Defense is Key in Bengals Offseason

There hasn’t been another team in the league whose defense has shot itself in the foot more than Cincinnati’s over the last few seasons. For perhaps the best example, go back and watch both Ravens/Bengals matchups in 2024. Cincinnati’s offense produced a combined 72 points, just to lose by a total of four points in both losses. The Bengals would miss the postseason with a 9-8 record, one game back of Pittsburgh’s 10-7 finish. It was the first real season that truly showed just how detrimental their defense was to their team’s success.

Entering this past offseason, it was clear where Cincinnati needed to put its attention, and boy did they exceed those expectations. The Bengals free agency signings were highlighted by safety Kyle Dugger, safety Bryan Cook, defensive lineman Jonathan Allen, and edge rusher Boye Mafe. Just when you thought they were done, Cincinnati would send their 10th overall pick in the 2026 Draft to the New York Giants for defensive tackle Dexter Lawrence. The three-time Pro Bowler finished the season tied for 26th in total pressures by an IDL (34), the same amount as new teammate Jonathan Allen. It is, however, the first season in which Lawrence finished the season without a single sack in his seven-year career, after a 10-sack season in 2024. Lawrence signed a one-year $28 million contract extension following the trade, keeping him in Cincinnati until the 2029 offseason.

Adding both Lawrence and Allen is a step in the right direction in terms of improving the league’s worst run defense in 2025. Allen’s 34 defensive stops ranked 12th in the league, one behind new teammate B.J. Hill and 14 more than the next closest Bengals’ defensive tackle. Cook and Dugger are also expected to take on big roles in the secondary, following the departure of Geno Stone to the Bills. Cook comes over after four seasons in Kansas City, racking up 194 tackles, 4 INTs, and 9 PBUs over that span.

Dugger is set to start the season on his third team in two seasons. The former Patriots second-round pick was sent to Pittsburgh at last year’s trade deadline, finishing with 32 tackles, 2 INTs, 2 PBUs, and 4 TDs allowed in coverage over a 10-game span. They’re moves that give the Bengals the true potential and talent they’ve been lacking since 2022. The offense has done its job over the last few seasons, but as we’ve seen with this team, you can’t win on offense alone.

A lot of money has been spent on the defensive side of the ball this offseason, but only time will tell if it was money well spent.

Another Season Riding on Burrow’s Health?

There is no questioning the firepower of the Bengals offense when Joe Burrow is healthy. Unfortunately for Cincinnati, that hasn’t been too common over the last few seasons. Since entering the league in 2020, Burrow has missed 22 total games due to injury. Since 2023, he’s missed a concerning 16 games due to a wrist injury (7) and turf toe (9).

When healthy, Burrow is without a doubt a Top 5 quarterback. In his three full seasons with the Bengals, the six-year veteran has yet to throw for under 4,900 yards and 39 touchdowns. With two WR1’s, it’s easy to produce and put up the eye-popping stats he has in his career. It’s obvious, but Burrows’ health is going to play a large role in the Cincy’s success this season. The truth is, time is ticking for Burrow and the Bengals to get back to their consistent winning ways. The money has been spent on both sides of the ball to give this team a true chance to compete. Ja’Marr Chase’s 4-year contract extension is set to kick in this season, as the two-time All-Pro will make $161 million. Tee Higgins is in the second year of his 4-year, $115 million contract. It’s a true pass-heavy offense, as outside of Chase Brown, the Bengals run game wasn’t much to write home about. Brown finished with his first career 1,000-yard season, totaling 1,019 yards and 6 touchdowns.

Cincinnati’s offense as a whole finished with just 1,519 rushing yards, 4th lowest in the league.  The Bengals brought back some insurance during the offseason, re-signing veteran and former Ravens quarterback Joe Flacco. In six starts with the Bengals last season, Flacco managed a 4-2 record, 1,664 passing yards, 13 touchdowns, and 4 interceptions. You never want to see it, but should Burrow go down yet again with an injury, Flacco has shown an ability to play clean and winning football, despite his age.

With the money spent on defense during the offseason and the talent on the outside offensively, Burrow’s will again likely be the difference between a deep postseason run and a fourth straight season without a playoff appearance.

Record Prediction: 10-7; 3rd in AFC North

The post OTL: AFC North Preview – Cincinnati Bengals appeared first on Russell Street Report.

Source: https://russellstreetreport.com/2026/07/09/out-to-lunch/otl-afc-north-preview-cincinnati-bengals/