The Bengals have built their season around Joe Burrow, and the pressure on him feels as high as it has ever been in Cincinnati. He has already shown he can pile up numbers at a wild clip, but the missing piece is still that NFL MVP award.
That conversation only gets louder when you look back at 2024. Burrow nearly hit 5,000 passing yards and threw 42 touchdowns, finishing as the league leader in both categories. With a better offensive line in place and a defense that should help keep Cincinnati in the fight, 2026 looks like another real opening for him to make that leap.
If that happens, Ja'Marr Chase is going to be right in the middle of it. The Burrow-Chase connection has become the defining image of this Bengals era, and it remains the engine that can drive a huge season. Chase, though, is chasing his own headline-grabbing goal too: he said in an interview that he wants the NFL record with 23 touchdowns, while also pushing for team success.
And according to Chase, Burrow has brought a different edge to the offseason. In a recent interview with NFL Network’s Cameron Wolfe and Marc Ross, Chase said the quarterback has been noticeably more intense.
"His demeanour is more aggressive, his face is more aggressive, the way he talks is more aggressive; I kind of like when he’s like that. He’s holding me accountable; I appreciate that."
That kind of version of Burrow is exactly what Bengals fans want to hear about heading into the season. If he’s truly operating in that “mean” mode, Cincinnati’s offense could be in for something dangerous. And if Burrow and Chase start stacking deep touchdowns again, the rest of the AFC has plenty to worry about.
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Boye Mafe Is Already Changing More Than The Bengals Pass Rush
The Bengals brought in Boye Mafe this offseason to give their pass rush and defensive front a needed boost, and early in camp he has already started to look like more than just another addition. Myles Murphy has taken notice of Mafes high football IQ and the veteran presence he brings, calling out the way he has fit into the room and helped set a sharper tone during practices.
Murphy has also been part of that stronger showing on the field, with both players standing out in camp and giving Cincinnati a more confident look up front. For a defense that wanted more consistency and disruption, Mafes impact appears to be reaching beyond the obvious box score benefits, giving the Bengals a steadier edge as the season approaches. [Read more 🡒]
Evan McPherson May Be Giving Bengals Exactly What They Need
Evan McPhersons camp has opened the way the Bengals would have hoped after a season in which the kicker still showed plenty of touch but left a little room for doubt. He enters 2026 coming off a strong 2025 campaign, and so far in training camp he has been clean across the board, with the operation around him looking smooth thanks to punter/holder Ryan Rehkow and long snapper William Wagner.
The encouraging part for Cincinnati is not just the consistency, but the range McPherson has flashed while doing it. He has already hit from 65 yards in practice, a reminder of how valuable he can be when the offense stalls or games tighten late, and it gives the Bengals reason to believe there may still be another level to find after some past inconsistency. [Read more 🡒]