The Shemar Stewart situation in Cincinnati dragged on longer than anyone wanted, and the tension around it never felt isolated. The Bengals wanted to add a clause that wasn’t in their previous rookie contracts, even though that clause had already become standard elsewhere.
Stewart’s camp wanted extra compensation for taking on that change. They eventually got a deal done, but by then the offseason had already picked up plenty of other baggage.
That mattered because the defensive mood never really seemed settled. Trey Hendrickson’s saga hung over things, and linebacker Logan Wilson’s reaction to being benched only added to the noise. From the outside, it looked like the gap between the players and the coaching staff and front office was wider than anyone wanted it to be.
Now, though, the message around the defense sounds different. After the Bengals rebuilt so much of the defensive line and secondary with veterans, Stewart and the rest of the group are talking about football again.
The tone has shifted to, “we want to go play football and be the best defense we can be.“ For Stewart, that has come with a fresh energy, and he’s arriving with a brighter attitude after missing most of training camp because of injury.
There’s also better news on the offensive side. Joe Burrow practiced on a rainy day that fit the feel of a gritty rivalry, and fans should be relieved to see he is not on the injury report after spending the week questionable for Week 2. His health matters all the more with the offense facing one of the NFL’s better defenses through the first two weeks.
The Bengals may also have a reshuffled passing-game picture because of injury. The “WR3” spot has been a real battle, and this setback could open the door for Dohnte Meyers and Colbie Young.
It also creates a chance for Cincinnati to lean more heavily into two-tight-end looks with Mike Gesicki, Drew Sample, Erick All Jr. and Tanner Hudson. Gesicki, who had mostly been splitting time with Iosivas, could absorb much of that work, but the bigger point is that this could be the kind of opening that lets someone seize a role.
One of the more encouraging developments on the defensive side has been Boye Mafe. Cincinnati knew it needed edge disruption without Trey Hendrickson, and Mafe has delivered early. Through two weeks, he leads the NFL in quarterback hurries, which is exactly the kind of start the Bengals were hoping for.
That defensive progress has started to show up nationally, too. Cincinnati has been slotted as a top-three team in the power rankings, and the reasoning is easy to follow: the defense has looked dominant, and the offense still feels like it has another level it hasn’t reached yet. If that happens, things could get dangerous fast.
Elsewhere around the league, a promising Week 1 ended up being just that, a promising Week 1, and no one ever wants to see a season cut short. John Harbaugh’s job as the New York Giants’ head coach also apparently got a lot tougher.
As for Burrow, he remains in the second tier of quarterbacks, though four other passers jumped him after huge weeks. Josh Allen and Patrick Mahomes are still the names sitting near the top, while Lamar Jackson dropped behind Burrow after his rough outing against the New Orleans Saints last week. Burrow just needs a few weeks of steady production to break through.
In Other News...
Bengals Suddenly Have A Veteran QB Question Fans Can't Ignore
Jaxson Darts knee injury has quickly changed the look of the Giants quarterback situation, and the ripple effect is the part Bengals fans cant really ignore. With Dart facing what could be a significant absence, Jameis Winston has stepped in as the temporary starter while the Giants weigh longer-term options at the position.
Joe Flacco is now one of the names floating into that conversation, given his veteran resume and his link to head coach John Harbaugh from earlier in his career. Nothing official has been confirmed, but for Cincinnati observers, it is another reminder that the veteran quarterback market could keep shifting in a way that matters well beyond New York. [Read more 🡒]
Joe Burrow Sends A Clear Message On Bengals Protection Blame
Joe Burrow spent Week 2 taking shots from the Texans, and the attention naturally drifted to the left side of Cincinnatis offensive line, where Orlando Brown Jr. drew plenty of scrutiny for the pressure coming off Burrows blind side. Burrow was dealing with back soreness as well, which only sharpened the focus on protection and on how much blame should fall on one player when the pocket breaks down.
Ahead of the Bengals meeting with the Steelers, Burrow made it clear he was not interested in turning Brown into the easy target. He said not every hit was on the left tackle, pointed to how complicated pass protection can be, and offered public support for Brown at a time when Cincinnati is trying to steady a line that will be under the microscope again this week. [Read more 🡒]
Joe Burrows Week 3 Status Just Became The Bengals Biggest Concern
Joe Burrow was back on the field as a full participant in practice on Sept. 23, giving the Bengals at least a little relief heading into their Week 3 matchup with the Pittsburgh Steelers. Zac Taylor said the quarterback was sore, but he did not appear to be in pain during the session, which marked a step forward after Burrow had been limited the previous week because of a back injury.
The injury came after Burrow absorbed several hits in Week 2 against the Houston Texans, and Cincinnati has been watching his progress closely ever since. With the Steelers next on the schedule, the Bengals now have a clearer idea of where their quarterback stands, even if the bigger question of how he holds up through the week is still hanging over the game plan. [Read more 🡒]