Why the Bengals’ 2026 Offseason Could Be the Most Pivotal Yet
In the NFL, championship windows don’t wait around. They open fast, demand bold moves, and slam shut on teams that hesitate. Right now, the Cincinnati Bengals are staring straight into that window - and they know time is ticking.
The core is still intact. Joe Burrow remains one of the league’s elite quarterbacks.
Ja’Marr Chase and Tee Higgins form a receiving tandem that can go toe-to-toe with any duo in football. When healthy, this offense can light up the scoreboard against anyone.
But after three straight seasons of missed opportunities and mounting frustration, it’s clear: minor tweaks won’t cut it. If the Bengals want to turn this golden era of quarterback play into another deep postseason run, it’s going to take bold, franchise-shifting moves.
A Season That Slipped Away
The 2025 campaign was a roller coaster - and not the fun kind. Cincinnati stumbled to a 6-11 finish, their first losing season since 2020, and the chaos started early. Burrow suffered a turf toe injury in Week 2 that sidelined him for nine games, and the offense was forced into survival mode.
Jake Browning couldn’t quite steady the ship, which led to a midseason trade for veteran Joe Flacco. Flacco brought some much-needed experience and briefly stabilized the offense, but the damage had already been done.
Even in the chaos, there were bright spots. Chase proved once again that he’s quarterback-proof - a true WR1 who can dominate no matter who’s under center. Running back Chase Brown stepped up in a major way, breaking the 1,000-yard mark and finally giving the Bengals a legitimate ground threat to balance their attack.
But the defense? That’s where things truly unraveled.
Under coordinator Al Golden, the Bengals’ defense finished at or near the bottom in several major categories. The pass rush couldn’t generate consistent pressure, and the secondary was plagued by breakdowns.
A late-season spark - including a Thanksgiving win over Baltimore with Burrow back at the helm - offered a glimmer of hope. But by then, the damage was done.
Injuries to key players like Trey Hendrickson only added to the collapse, and Cincinnati landed in third place in the AFC North.
The Cap Space Advantage
Here’s the good news: Cincinnati has options - and money.
Unlike some contenders who are handcuffed by bloated contracts, the Bengals head into the 2026 offseason with about $53.8 million in cap space, giving them top-10 flexibility across the league. That’s a rare luxury for a team with this much talent already on the roster.
Smart contract structuring is a big reason why. Higgins’ extension was front-loaded, and Chase’s massive deal is manageable in the short term.
Burrow’s $48 million cap hit can be manipulated if needed, and the front office has tools to unlock up to $50 million more through restructures. With 15 players set to hit free agency, Cincinnati can either re-sign key contributors or get aggressive on the trade market.
The Roster Reality: Offense Loaded, Defense Leaking
The imbalance on the depth chart is hard to ignore. Offensively, the Bengals are stacked. Defensively, they’ve got holes - and big ones.
The pass rush fell off a cliff when Hendrickson was banged up, and the run defense was among the league’s worst. Reinforcements along the defensive front aren’t optional - they’re essential.
The secondary is also in flux. With players like Geno Stone and Cam Taylor-Britt heading toward free agency, safety becomes a top priority.
The offensive line could use depth, but the broader issue is philosophical: the Bengals can’t keep asking Burrow to win shootouts every week. If they want to make a real postseason run, they need a defense that can hold its own.
The Big Swing: Maxx Crosby
If Cincinnati wants to make a statement, trading for Maxx Crosby would be a thunderous one.
Crosby brings everything the Bengals lacked in 2025: relentless effort, elite production, and leadership. He’s a tone-setter - the kind of player who changes not just the defense, but the entire culture.
Yes, it would cost the 10th overall pick and likely more. But Crosby is still in his prime, durable, and disruptive. He’d immediately become the face of the defense, replacing Hendrickson’s fading availability with a high-motor, high-impact force.
Beyond the on-field impact, a move like this would signal a shift in Cincinnati’s identity. The Bengals have long been known for conservative roster moves. Trading premium draft capital for a proven star would align with Burrow’s championship timeline - and show the locker room they’re all-in.
Pair Crosby with a revamped secondary, and suddenly, this defense isn’t a liability anymore - it’s a strength.
The Strategic Exit: Trading Trey Hendrickson
Of course, sometimes the boldest moves involve letting go.
Trey Hendrickson is still productive when healthy, but health and contract uncertainty make his future murky. He’s entering a contract year with no guarantees, and that lingering hip injury raises long-term questions.
A tag-and-trade scenario could bring back valuable draft capital - think a second-round pick - while clearing cap space for other priorities. For a team like Detroit, Hendrickson could be the missing piece. For Cincinnati, it’s a forward-thinking move that helps reset the roster and avoid watching a key asset walk for nothing.
These are the kinds of tough decisions contenders have to make - anticipating decline before it hits, not reacting after the fact.
The Wild Card: DJ Moore
While the defense needs the most attention, there’s another path - one that doubles down on what Cincinnati already does best.
Trading for DJ Moore would give Burrow arguably the most dangerous receiving trio in the NFL. Chase, Higgins, and Moore? That’s a nightmare for opposing defenses.
This isn’t about redundancy - it’s about versatility. Moore brings a yards-after-catch element that the Bengals have been missing.
When Burrow went down, the offense struggled to adjust because it was so reliant on vertical timing routes. Moore adds a horizontal threat who can keep drives alive even when the pocket collapses.
A second-round pick and a developmental piece like Andrei Iosivas might be enough to get Chicago’s attention. For the Bengals, it’s a move that turns an already potent offense into something nearly unguardable.
The Blueprint Is There - Now It’s About Execution
The foundation is solid. Burrow is a franchise quarterback.
Chase and Higgins are elite weapons. But the supporting structure still needs work.
Trading for Maxx Crosby could redefine the defense. Moving on from Hendrickson could open up cap flexibility and keep the roster young and hungry. Adding DJ Moore would make the offense nearly impossible to scheme against.
This offseason isn’t about staying competitive - it’s about taking the leap. Conservative roster management will keep the Bengals in the mix. But if they want to get back to the Super Bowl, it’s going to take bold moves.
The clock is ticking. The window is open. Now it’s up to Cincinnati to decide how far they’re willing to go.