Bengals ‘26 Season Outlook: The Time Is Now

Date: Tuesday September 1, 2026

Writer: Anthony Iles

The preseason is officially wrapped, rosters are set, and the NFL is shifting into regular‑season mode. Across the league, we’ve seen surprises — teams keeping four quarterbacks, veterans being cut, and familiar names like Odell Beckham landing back where their careers began. But in Cincinnati, the story is simple: the Bengals look ready.

Undefeated Preseason — First Time in 20+ Years

Going 3‑0 in the preseason isn’t about trophies — it’s about depth. And this roster showed it has real depth at nearly every position, especially on defense. The revamped unit looked fast, disciplined, and loaded with competition.

A Revamped Defense Ready to Make Noise

The Bengals didn’t just tweak the defense — they rebuilt it with purpose. Veterans like Cook, Mafe, Allen, and Lawrence bring leadership, toughness, and proven production. This group has the talent to become a top‑10 defense, and they’re built to complement Burrow’s offense instead of simply surviving games.

And then there’s rookie CB Davis — 6’4”, long, physical, and confident. His preseason showed exactly why he earned a spot on the 53. He’s raw and athletic with his upside being enormous.

Offensive Evolution — More Under Center, More Play Action

The Bengals sprinkled in more under‑center looks this preseason, and it wasn’t accidental. This offense is adding layers:

  • More play action
  • More downhill run concepts
  • More balance to keep defenses honest

With Burrow healthy and the scheme expanding, this offense is built to control the ball, dictate tempo, and stay dangerous from every formation.

Special Teams Boost

WRs Ke’Shawn Williams and Donte Meyers aren’t just depth pieces — they’re impact players. Williams will handle returns, and Meyers has already pushed himself into the WR3/WR4 conversation after a standout camp.

And Money Mac? Back to being Money Mac — consistent, confident, automatic.

The AFC North Is Wide Open

Three new head coaches. Major roster turnover. No clear favorite. This is the moment for Cincinnati to grab the division early and never let go.

The Time Is Now

Burrow said it best: the time is now.
On paper, this is one of the strongest Bengals rosters ever assembled — depth, veterans, youth, explosiveness, and a coaching staff that knows exactly what it wants.

This team has everything it needs to:

  • Win the AFC North
  • Return to the Playoffs
  • Capture the AFC Championship
  • Head back to SoFi Stadium to finish it

The Lombardi Trophy is not a dream — it’s their mission to bring it back to Cincinnati!

Who Dey !!!!

Bengals Season Begins Now

Date: Tuesday August 1, 2026

Writer: Anthony Iles

The NFL season officially kicked off last week with the Pro Football Hall of Fame Game, where the Carolina Panthers edged out the Arizona Cardinals 33–30 in a thrilling opener.

Meanwhile, roster shakeups are already underway around the league: the Minnesota Vikings recently announced that former Cardinals quarterback Kyler Murray will take over as their starting quarterback, moving McCarthy to the backup role.

The Cincinnati Bengals are set to host the Detroit Lions this Thursday at 7:00 PM EDT at Paycor Stadium for their first preseason matchup. Head coach Zac Taylor has indicated that the starters will play the first one or two series before resting for the remainder of the game.

Training Camp & Roster Outlook

  • A Revamped Defense: The Bengals injected major experience, leadership, and toughness into their defensive unit this offseason by adding veteran acquisitions like defensive tackles Dexter Lawrence and Jonathan Allen, alongside defensive pieces like Boye Mafe and safety Bryan Cook.
  • An Explosive Offense: With a fully healthy Joe Burrow leading the charge and veteran quarterback Joe Flacco returning to back him up, the offense is primed to click. Media observers have heavily highlighted the team’s shift toward incorporating more plays from under center during training camp. This adjustment is designed to boost a more dynamic run game and expand under-center play-action passing. I think this package could debut at around 10 plays per game, potentially scaling up to account for 40% to 50% of snaps by season’s end to keep opposing defenses guessing.
  • The 3rd Wide Receiver Battle: One of the most talked-about storylines of camp is the competition for the primary third wide receiver spot. Andrei Iosivas currently holds the edge after a solid stretch, though he looks to clean up some key drops from last season. Pushing him is the talented Mitch Tinsley—listed as the backup behind Ja’Marr Chase—alongside a deep group featuring Charlie Jones, Ke’Shawn Williams, Donte Meyers, and Xavier Johnson. Behind starter Tee Higgins, the depth chart is rounded out by Colbie Young and Noah Thomas.

It is shaping up to be an unforgettable year for Who Dey Nation.

Let’s get ready to rock the Jungle!

Who Dey!

“The Pure Heart Classic” Golf Outing Invite

When: Friday May 29, 2026

If you’re in the Northern Kentucky / Cincinnati area and interested in a May golf scramble that supports a great cause, this is for you. I’m helping with the event and playing in it as well.

Check it out if you’d like to golf, donate, or share it with anyone who might want to get involved.

https://the-pure-heart-classic.perfectgolfevent.com/?utm_source=copilot.com

Bengals 2026 NFL Draft

Date: Thursday April 23, 2026

Writer: Anthony Iles

The NFL Draft kicks off tonight at 8:00 P.M., and the Bengals already made waves last week by sending their 1st‑round pick (No. 10) to the Giants in exchange for star nose tackle Dexter “Sexy Dexy” Lawrence II. Cincinnati never pulls off a pre‑draft move like this, but this was the exact upgrade the defensive front needed.

This team is shifting into full Super Bowl mode and refusing to play it safe. It’s electric to watch. Joe Burrow and the offense have to be fired up knowing the defense is gearing up to hold its own again and give them the support they need to dominate.

This revamped Bengals defense is on the verge of returning to — or even surpassing — the level they played at during their Super Bowl run a few years back. They’ve already added six defensive free agents, completely reshaping the unit’s identity. And there’s still room to bring in another one or two veteran pieces if they decide to keep stacking talent.

With the Bengals sidelined until the 2nd Round, the spotlight shifts to the Giants and their control of picks No. 5 and No. 10. What they decide to do with those two premium selections could send shockwaves through the entire first round. Their moves will set the tone, trigger the chaos, and shape the board for everyone else.

And even without a pick tonight, don’t be stunned if Cincinnati still finds a way to crash the party. The Bengals have already shown they’re willing to break character — and a surprise move from them could be the twist that steals the night.

Good luck to every player hearing their name called tonight — this is your moment, your breakthrough, your launchpad. Enjoy it, embrace it, and remember: the journey is only just beginning.

Who Dey!!

2025 Bengals Season Recap: A Wild Ride in the Jungle

Date: Tuesday February 2, 2026

Writer: Anthony Iles

The Bengals opened the season with back‑to‑back wins and looked ready for a strong campaign—until Joe Burrow’s turf‑toe injury in Week 2 sent the year into chaos. Backup Jake Browning stepped in, but the offense sputtered and turnovers piled up. Cincinnati dropped three straight to the Vikings, Broncos, and Lions, getting outscored heavily and losing momentum fast.

Realizing the season needed saving, the Bengals traded for veteran Joe Flacco. With only a few days to learn the playbook, he debuted against the Packers and immediately brought stability, even in a 27–18 loss. The spark became real in Week 7 when Flacco led the Bengals to a 33–31 win over the Steelers.

But the defense hit a rough stretch. From Weeks 8–12, Cincinnati lost multiple shootouts—falling to the Jets and Bears on last‑possession drives, then struggling again against the Steelers and Patriots. The offense was doing its part, but the defense couldn’t close games.

Everything changed after the bye.

Burrow returned on Thanksgiving in Week 13 and delivered a 32–14 win, while the defense finally began to settle into the new scheme. A tight loss to the Bills and a disastrous shutout against the Ravens followed, but that embarrassment became a turning point. From Week 16 on, the defense looked like a different unit—tackling better, communicating clearly, and making timely plays.

The Bengals closed strong with dominant wins over the Dolphins (45–21) and Cardinals (37–14) before a narrow loss to the Browns in the finale. It was a chaotic, injury‑filled, up‑and‑down season, but the late‑season defensive surge showed what this roster can be when healthy and aligned.

With Burrow back at full strength and the offense humming, the Bengals look poised for a Super Bowl push—as long as the defense continues the growth we saw after the bye.

Pro Bowl Honors

This year’s Pro Bowl features four Bengals:

Ja’Marr Chase – 5th selection

Tee Higgins – 1st selection

Joe Burrow – 3rd selection

Joe Flacco – shockingly, his first in 18 seasons

A well‑earned recognition for all of them.

Looking Ahead

Expect the Bengals to add veteran help on defense and draft with purpose. With a full year in the new defensive system and a healthy Burrow leading an elite offense, Cincinnati should return to the playoffs—and make another run at the Super Bowl.

Who Dey !!!!

Bengals Win at the Dog Pound

Date: Tuesday September 9, 2025

Writer: Anthony Iles

On Sunday, the Bengals faced a rival, the Browns. Battle of Ohio opened the regular season for the Bengals at the Dog Pound.

The Bengals have said all offseason they need to begin the season faster. Get early wins to help them at the end of the season. It was a classic AFC North battle. Bengals got the ball first and had an opening drive TD. The Browns then controlled the ball eating up clock through most of the game. Bengals defense played good for the first game containing the Browns to 16 points. The Bengals offense was able to get 17 points and could not extend the lead in the 4th quarter. Chase and Higgins each had nice sideline catches but were pushed out of bounds each time before the 2nd foot could land in fair territory. Those 2 big plays on their defense kept them in the game.

There was a missed extra point and a missed field goal attempt by the Browns along with the Bengals two INTs on defense. This allowed the Bengals to win a tough road game to begin the season. They not only get a W but they also get a W in their division and get the monkey off their back about have it to hear about not winning in the first week.

This is a good start to the Bengals and it was refreshing to see the defense play with some attitude. This season feels like year 2 for Burrow. This defense will get better as the season goes on and the offense will always be the biggest threat.

Next up, first home game of the season vs Jags! Sam Hubbard is going to the “The Ruler of the Jungle” for this game!!!

Let’s go Bengals !!!!

Who Dey!!!

Bengals Preseason 2025

Date: August 18, 2025

Writer: Anthony Iles

The Bengals preseason is underway. The defense is learning new concepts and schemes under new DC Al Golden. Shout out to him as he won the “Broyles Award” for being the top assistant coach in college football in 2024. The Bengals starting offense played the first 2 series of the first preseason game. Burrow and company were humming as they scores TDs on both drives and Burrow went 9/10 passing. You can tell the defense are trying out different schemes on defense and the younger guys are working hard. They are keeping their cards close to their chest and not revealing too much during the preseason. They are keeping defense will be better than last year.

Gearing up for the second preseason game you will see the starting offense played some more. This is the first season Burrow has been able to participate during all of the off season and playing in the preseason games. The offensive line is shuffling things around to see how the younger ones play and what will be the best fit. One of the uprising stars is undrafted college player Seth McLaughlin, center. He played at Alabama and finished at Ohio State. He was an all-American center. He got hurt during last season but is healthy now. Looks like the Bengals might end up having a great addition to the offensive line group.

We will see how much the first team defense plays in this second preseason game and see if they are going to work on schemes.

In a few weeks it will be the regular season!!

Who Dey!

Reds Finishing First Half of the Season

Date: July 10, 2025

Writer: Anthony Iles

The Cincinnati Reds are currently 47 – 46 going into today’s game versus the Marlins. can the Reds cap off the first half of the season above .500 and be in a good spot going into the All Star break? I think they can. This Reds team has so much potential and a playoff caliber team. Based off the first half of the season they began the season losing a stretch of games by 1 run and then other games blowing out the other teams. Later in this first half of the regular season they have come together better and have had a better flow of winning streaks. I think having Coach Terry Francona will help this team guiding them into the playoffs.

For this 2025 All Star Break the Reds have INF Elly De La Cruz & LHP Andrew Abbott on the National All Star Team. Well deserved for these two Reds. Atlantas Acuna Jr is an All Star and also participating in the HR Derby contest. Tune in for that he will put on a show !

Now the question Reds fans will be wondering is can the team stay consistent in the second half to make a push and get into the playoffs. If they get in they will be one of the most dangerous teams.

Go Reds !!!

Bengals Begin 2025 Workouts: Key Players and Contract Updates

Date: Wednesday May 21, 2025

Writer: Anthony Iles

The Bengals have started their voluntary workouts. The team is focused and ready to start their season the way they ended last season. The new drafted players have all been at the workouts. However, 1st round draft pick defensive end Shemar Stewart is electing to have a hold in. He is present but not practicing since he has yet to sign his rookie contract. He will sign before mandatory training camp. The only other person in negotiations is Trey Hendrickson. He is a Pro Bowler and leader of the Bengals defense. Media is hounding this issue but in time his deal will get done before the regular season. I think it will be completed within the first 2 weeks of training camp. Trey will be fined each day he is not at training camp. If it lingers into the season, and he tries to hold out, he will forfeit game checks. He will lose money for each game he does not play. That will be millions of dollars lost. He won’t do that.

Chase and Higgins have been around with Joe. They are all looking great and focused. With having new defensive coordinator Al Golden running things for the defense look for an urgency that they play with. Media is discounting the defense because they need them to prove they can be consistent. If the Bengals defense performs like it did in the last 6 games last year, the results will be impressive. Now, with the new scheme Golden creates, the defense will be top 12. Having this will get the Bengals into the playoffs and manage to get back to the Super Bowl. I am a believer that Burrow and company will make it back there and win it a second time around. This team and core of the team is intact and Cincinnati has an opportunity to make history.

I look forward to the 2025 season!!!

Who Dey!!!!