What Happened to Cincinnati Bengals?

The Cincinnati Bengals, a franchise with a history of both passionate fandom and prolonged struggles, entered a new era with the selection of quarterback Joe Burrow as the No. 1 overall pick in the 2020 NFL Draft. Burrow's arrival, despite an injury-shortened rookie season, quickly revitalized the team, ushering in a period of unprecedented success for the modern Bengals.

The true turning point came in the 2021 season (Super Bowl LVI), when Burrow, alongside star wide receiver Ja'Marr Chase (drafted in 2021), led the Bengals on a surprising run to Super Bowl LVI, ultimately falling to the Los Angeles Rams. This marked the franchise's first Super Bowl appearance since the 1988 season. The momentum continued into the 2022 season, where the Bengals again reached the AFC Championship Game, losing a close contest to the Kansas City Chiefs.

Recognizing the core talent, the Bengals made significant financial commitments. In September 2023, Joe Burrow signed a record-breaking five-year, $275 million contract extension, making him the highest-paid player in NFL history at the time. This was followed in March 2025 by extensions for star wide receivers Ja'Marr Chase and Tee Higgins. Chase signed a four-year, $161 million deal, becoming the highest-paid non-quarterback in NFL history, while Higgins secured a four-year, $115 million contract. These moves solidified the offensive core for years to come.

However, the 2025 season proved to be a setback. Despite high expectations, the Bengals finished with a disappointing 6-11 record and missed the playoffs for the third consecutive year. A significant factor was a turf toe injury to Joe Burrow in Week 2, which sidelined him for much of the regular season, during which the team went 1-8 without him. The defense also struggled, ranking 32nd in many statistical categories. Despite the poor performance, owner Mike Brown announced in January 2026 that head coach Zac Taylor and Director of Player Personnel Duke Tobin would be retained, expressing confidence in their ability to return the team to championship contention.

As of August 13, 2026, the Cincinnati Bengals are actively engaged in training camp for the upcoming season. A major offseason move was the acquisition of defensive tackle Dexter Lawrence II via a trade involving the No. 10 overall pick in the 2026 NFL Draft. Lawrence has already made a significant impact in training camp, with teammates noting his 'terrorizing practice' presence, and is seen as a centerpiece for a revamped defensive front. The team also made several coaching staff adjustments in February 2026, including promoting Dan Pitcher to offensive coordinator and hiring Davis Koetter as assistant wide receivers coach. Joe Burrow is reportedly showing increased intensity in camp, aiming to rebound from the previous season's struggles. The Bengals drafted seven players in the 2026 NFL Draft, including edge rusher Cashius Howell and cornerback Tacario Davis.