Bengals Offseason Buzz: Flacco’s Future, AFC North Dynamics, and Coaching Carousel Watch
As the NFL offseason gets underway, the Cincinnati Bengals find themselves at a crossroads in several key areas - from veteran leadership to coaching staff stability, and even a few lingering questions about past draft decisions. Let’s break down the key storylines surrounding the Bengals and the AFC North as the league resets for another run.
Joe Flacco Reflects on His Future
Joe Flacco, the seasoned veteran quarterback who spent time with the Bengals this past season, is at a familiar juncture - weighing whether to run it back or call it a career. And like many players with long resumes and deep ties to the game, he’s not quite ready to put a period on his football story.
“I’ve tried to come up with a good answer for everybody, but it’s a hard question to answer,” Flacco said. “I’ve played football most of my life.
You think about an end. You do think about one day being done, but at the same time, year to year, you don’t really think about that.
You’re just like, ‘Oh, offseason. Time to work out and get ready for the next season.’
And I think that for the most part, my head is still in that space.”
That mindset - still wired for the grind of offseason prep - suggests Flacco isn’t quite ready to hang it up. Whether or not Cincinnati brings him back remains to be seen, but the Bengals clearly valued his experience in the quarterback room. If nothing else, Flacco’s presence offers a steadying force and a wealth of playoff experience that’s tough to replicate.
Orlando Brown Jr. on the AFC North’s Identity
Orlando Brown Jr. knows the AFC North better than most. Born into it - his father, Orlando “Zeus” Brown, was a longtime Ravens lineman - and now playing for the Bengals, Brown Jr. has a unique perspective on the DNA of the division. And he doesn’t see that changing, regardless of who’s calling plays or wearing the headset.
“These organizations aren’t going to change because the root of it all is ownership,” Brown said. “I believe the Raven way is forever going to be the Raven way no matter who the next head coach is. I just think it comes down to these owners are going to find who matches their persona and what their organizations represent.”
It’s a telling comment, especially in light of recent changes in Baltimore. The Ravens have brought in a new head coach, ending John Harbaugh’s 18-season run - a tenure that helped define the modern rivalry between Baltimore and Cincinnati. The expectation in Baltimore is clear: keep the standard high, keep the identity intact.
Meanwhile, Cincinnati is opting for continuity. Zac Taylor remains at the helm, and the Bengals are betting that patience - and a healthy Joe Burrow - will be enough to keep them in the AFC North title conversation.
A Draft Miss That Still Stings
The Bengals took a swing in the 2024 NFL Draft by selecting wide receiver Jermaine Burton with the 80th overall pick. It didn’t pan out. Cincinnati cut ties with Burton before the end of the 2025 season, and he remains unsigned heading into the offseason.
It’s a miss that still looms large, especially with the Bengals possibly needing to retool their receiver room depending on how free agency shakes out. Drafting a wideout in the middle rounds is always a bit of a gamble, but when a pick flames out that quickly, it puts more pressure on the front office to get the next one right.
Dan Pitcher Drawing Interest Around the League
Dan Pitcher, the Bengals’ offensive coordinator, has quietly become one of the more intriguing names in the coaching carousel. With multiple teams reshaping their staffs - including Miami, where new head coach Jeff Hafley is assembling a fresh offensive brain trust - Pitcher could be on the radar.
Hafley is reportedly looking at names like Kliff Kingsbury and Joe Brady, but Pitcher’s reputation for developing quarterbacks and designing efficient offensive schemes could make him a strong candidate to help revamp a Dolphins offense that’s underwhelmed the past two seasons.
If Cincinnati loses Pitcher, it would be a significant blow to the offensive continuity they’ve worked hard to build around Burrow. The Bengals have been deliberate in creating a stable environment, and Pitcher has been a key part of that. Losing him would force Taylor and the front office to make a critical hire at a pivotal time.
Big Picture: A Defining Offseason Ahead
The Bengals are entering an offseason filled with tough decisions and big opportunities. From evaluating Flacco’s future to reinforcing their offensive staff and addressing past draft misfires, this is a pivotal moment for a team that still believes its Super Bowl window is wide open.
With the AFC North as competitive as ever - and with Baltimore entering a new era while Pittsburgh and Cleveland continue to retool - the margin for error is razor-thin. The Bengals have the talent. The question now is whether they can make the right moves to keep pace in a division that never takes a step back.