The Cincinnati Bengals are heading into another offseason with more questions than answers, and at the center of it all is a familiar theme: are they being proactive enough to build sustained success?
Let’s not sugarcoat it - missing the playoffs three years in a row isn’t just a blip. It’s a trend.
And when trends like this start to take hold, it’s usually not about one bad bounce or a single injury. It’s about the bigger picture.
And in Cincinnati’s case, that picture suggests a franchise that’s more reactive than forward-thinking.
A perfect example? Chase Brown.
The second-year running back just wrapped up a breakout campaign, rushing for over 1,000 yards and adding 69 catches for 437 yards and five touchdowns. And he did it while the offense was in flux - three different starting quarterbacks, an offensive line that didn’t find its rhythm until well into the season, and a team fighting to stay afloat in a competitive AFC North. Brown wasn’t just a bright spot - he was a stabilizing force.
Now, the Bengals have a chance to do something they haven’t always done: reward a young, ascending player before he hits the open market. According to Brown, talks are already underway between his camp and the team. He described the negotiations as “working hard” and said there’s been “communication” about a potential extension.
That’s encouraging. But communication alone doesn’t move the needle. Action does.
Brown still has one year left on his rookie deal, carrying a manageable $3.7 million cap hit. He’s not set to hit unrestricted free agency until 2027.
So technically, the Bengals have time. But that’s exactly the kind of thinking that’s kept them a step behind.
This is the moment to flip the script.
Locking up Brown now would send a message - not just to the locker room, but to the rest of the league - that the Bengals are serious about investing in their core. That they’re ready to prioritize continuity and reward performance. That they’re not waiting for the market to dictate their moves.
Brown has earned that consideration. And for a franchise trying to climb back into the playoff mix, this is the kind of decision that can set the tone for the entire offseason.
Because in the NFL, the difference between contenders and also-rans often comes down to timing. The Bengals have a chance to get ahead of the curve. The question is: will they take it?