The Bengals have spent plenty of this offseason making noise on defense, with additions like Dexter Lawrence, Bryan Cook and Boye Mafe drawing most of the attention. But if Cincinnati wants to keep its offense moving the way it has when Joe Burrow is healthy, the biggest move still sitting on the table is an extension for Chase Brown.
That’s the piece this roster hasn’t locked in yet.
Brown has already taken over the job Joe Mixon left behind in 2023, and he’s handled it well. Drafted that year as Mixon’s replacement, he has grown into the role year by year.
In 2025, he turned in his best NFL season so far, piling up 1,019 rushing yards and six touchdowns. He’s expected to remain a major part of Dan Pitcher’s offense this season, too.
What makes Brown so valuable is the mix he brings. He has explosivity, but he also runs with power, and that combination makes him a natural fit as a workhorse back. For a Bengals offense that could use a stronger ground game to take some of the burden off Burrow, that matters.
The feeling around the team is that a deal will eventually get done. The question is why wait. Getting Brown extended before the season would send a clear message about how important he is to the franchise and would settle one more major piece of the offense before kickoff.
Paul Dehner Jr. of The Athletic recently addressed Brown’s future and sounded confident that the running back will still be in Cincinnati in 2027. As he put it: " Yes, I believe Brown will be a member of the Bengals in 2027.
First off, what’s not to love about Brown’s game and place in this offense? He’s become a centerpiece of what they do and has challenged Ja’Marr Chase consistently for most scrimmage yards each season."
If the Bengals do get that extension done before the season, it could be the kind of move that helps Brown take another step and push toward becoming a legitimate top five running back in the NFL.
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The bigger question is how much room there really is for another pass catcher to carve out a real role. Andrei Iosivas has held the inside track in recent seasons, while Mike Gesicki has often functioned like a third wide receiver in the offense, giving Joe Burrow another steady target in the middle of the field. Young's camp performance will determine whether he can force his way into that mix and change the way Cincinnati distributes its snaps. [Read more 🡒]
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Bengals Get Encouraging Sign In Crucial Battle Behind Ted Karras
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Connor Lew is expected to start taking reps there, while Brian Parker has also been working at center after getting those looks during rookie minicamp. Parker will be in the mix for playing time once camp gets rolling, and for a Bengals team that values depth up front, the competition behind Karras is one of the quieter battles worth watching. [Read more 🡒]