AFC North
Cincinnati Bengals
AI Summary
Cincinnati overhauled its defensive front this offseason, trading the No. 10 overall pick to the Giants for DT Dexter Lawrence and signing edge rusher Boye Mafe to a three-year, $60 million deal after longtime pass rusher Trey Hendrickson left in free agency for division rival Baltimore. Joe Burrow restructured his contract to help fund the additions and has called this 'the most talented roster' the Bengals have had since he arrived, though a knee injury to DE Shemar Stewart in camp is an early complication up front. Zac Taylor and his coordinators return unchanged, and outside projections are mixed but generally optimistic, with a 9.5 win total and power rankings ranging from roughly 12th to 17th as Cincinnati looks to snap a three-year playoff drought.
Researched by Team Research Desk · last updated August 20, 2026
Real Efficiency KPIs
Offensive EPA/play
-0.009
#19 of 32
Defensive EPA/play allowed
+0.130
#29 of 32
2025 regular season, 1049 offensive / 1035 defensive plays. Source: nflverse play-by-play (github.com/nflverse/nflverse-data), real 2025 regular season. This is a prior-season baseline — this team's 2026 numbers will replace it once real Week 1 plays exist.
Key Players (2025 production)
Leading Passer
Joe Flacco · QB
251/416, 15 TD, 10 INT
-40.9 passing EPA
Leading Rusher
Chase Brown · RB
232 car, 1019 yds, 6 TD
-4.2 rushing EPA
Leading Receiver
Ja'Marr Chase · WR
125/185, 1412 yds, 30% target share
+41.4 receiving EPA
Leading Pass Rusher
Myles Murphy · DE
5.5 sacks, 10 QB hits
Leading Tackler
Jordan Battle · SAF
60 solo, 63 assist
Leading Interceptor
Jordan Battle · SAF
4 INT
Source: nflverse player stats (github.com/nflverse/nflverse-data), real 2025 regular season; team attribution updated for documented 2026 offseason trades. Prior-season baseline, not 2026 in-season stats.
Key Storylines
- Traded the No. 10 overall pick to the Giants for DT Dexter Lawrence and signed him to a 1-year, $28M extension, the first time in franchise history the team has dealt a top-10 pick for a player
- Lost pass rusher Trey Hendrickson to the rival Ravens in free agency, then signed edge rusher Boye Mafe to a 3-year, $60M contract
- Joe Burrow restructured his contract to create cap space and called the 2026 roster the most talented he's had in Cincinnati
- Beat the Lions 16-14 in the preseason opener (Aug. 13) with Burrow and the starters seeing the field
- Rookie WR Colbie Young and 3rd-round CB Tacario 'Bobo' Davis have drawn praise in camp position battles for WR3 and secondary depth
Injury Report
Shemar Stewart · DE
Out
Hyperextended his left knee early in training camp; no ligament damage is believed, and Zac Taylor said he'll miss several weeks, though he's since been seen without a brace and moving without a limp in rehab.
Erick All Jr. · TE
Limited
Still working back and limited in camp as he recovers from the torn ACL that cost him all of the 2025 season.
Bryan Cook · S
Out
Newly signed safety has been sidelined with an injury for portions of training camp.
Dax Hill · CB
Out
Battling an injury that has kept him out of practice during camp.