The Bengals are already looking ahead, and one former Cincinnati receiver says the reason for optimism is sitting right at quarterback.
Andrew Hawkins appeared on ESPN’s Get Up last Thursday morning and made it clear he’s buying into the buzz around Cincinnati. His confidence starts with Joe Burrow, who Hawkins believes is setting the tone for what could be a big year.
"I think Joe Burrow has an MVP season this year," Hawkins said when asked about buying into the Bengals' hype for this season. "I think that's the expectation because Joe Burrow has said himself that this is the best roster that he has had in the NFL."
That’s not hard to understand when you look at what Cincinnati has added around him. The Bengals brought in defensive tackle Dexter Lawrence, a major move for a defense that gave up the most rushing yards per game in the league last season at 147.1 yards. Lawrence gives them an immediate upgrade in the middle.
They also added multi-time Pro Bowler Jonathan Allen to the defensive front, giving the unit even more veteran presence and credibility. For a team that has usually been defined by its offense, those additions make the defense a much bigger part of the conversation heading into this season.
Cincinnati also had a brief scare when 2025 first round pick Shemar Stewart suffered a scary leg injury on the first day of camp. But head coach Zac Taylor said Stewart should be fine moving forward after a couple of months on the mend.
For Hawkins, though, the bigger picture is simple: if Burrow is setting the bar high, everyone else should too.
"My expectations are high and that's because Joe Burrow's expectations are high." @Hawk has confidence in the Bengals this upcoming season 💪 pic.twitter.com/IBfTt96N7W
Hawkins’ message was clear - the Bengals have the talent to matter, and he thinks this could be a special season in Cincinnati.
In Other News...
Bengals Rookies Are Forcing A Camp Battle Cincinnati Really Needed
Even without a first-round pick in the 2026 draft, Cincinnatis rookie class has given training camp a real jolt. The group is putting multiple spots on the depth chart in play, with second-round edge rusher Cashius Howell, third-round cornerback Tacario Davis, fourth-round center Connor Lew, tight end Jack Endries and wide receiver Colbie Young all drawing attention as the Bengals sort through a few legitimate camp battles.
For a team looking for affordable help and immediate depth, that kind of early competition matters. Cincinnati seems to have found a handful of rookies with a path to meaningful snaps this season, and the broad sense around camp is that this class is more than just developmental talent. The next step is seeing which of them can keep turning early promise into a real role once the pads stay on and the competition tightens. [Read more 🡒]
Joe Burrow Just Gave Bengals Fans More Reason To Dream
Joe Burrow is heading into his seventh NFL season with the kind of long-view confidence Bengals fans love to hear. In a conversation with CBS Sports, the quarterback said he could potentially play another 15 years, and he tied that optimism to how he feels right now in training camp, saying he feels physically strong and healthy while staying focused on keeping his body ready for the workload ahead.
Burrow also pointed to the atmosphere around camp, including the Bengals new defense, as part of what makes this stretch feel meaningful. For a team built around his prime years, the bigger picture matters just as much as the daily work, and Burrows belief that he can sustain this level for a long time only adds to the sense that Cincinnatis window may be wider than ever. [Read more 🡒]
Bengals Madrid Matchup Just Got Easier After A Brutal Falcons Loss
The Bengals Week 9 trip to Madrid suddenly looks a little friendlier after Atlanta took a major hit on defense. Jalon Walker, who emerged as a key part of the Falcons pass rush last season, is out for the 2026 campaign after tearing his ACL in training camp, a loss that changes the complexion of a matchup Cincinnati already had circled as part of its international schedule.
For a Bengals offense that figures to care plenty about protection in a neutral-site game overseas, not having to deal with Walker on the edge is no small development. Atlanta still has time to sort out how it will replace one of its most disruptive defenders, but Cincinnati at least knows the road to Madrid just got a bit less daunting. [Read more 🡒]