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It’s interesting to watch shifts in public opinion, particularly when it comes to the outlook for NFL teams.
On April 18, when the Cincinnati Bengals traded the No. 10 overall pick to the New York Giants for defensive tackle Dexter Lawrence, they were roundly criticized for overpaying.
Just another dumb move from a cheap franchise wasting superstar quarterback Joe Burrow’s prime.
MORE: Jaxon Smith-Njigba reacts to latest NFL Honors blunder
Now, one month later, ESPN’s Peter Schrager predicts the Bengals will be a popular choice to win the AFC championship.
“This is going to be the trendy pick for a lot of people for Super Bowl out of the AFC,” Schrager said Tuesday on “Get Up.” “Not only did they spend the fourth-most in the free-agent market … which is not Bengals football, they bring back 11 starters on offense.”
It’s difficult to understand what prompted the sudden shift in outlook for Cincinnati.
The Bengals had a solid, if unspectacular, draft, despite not having a first-round pick. They took Texas A&M EDGE Cashius Howell in the second round and Washington cornerback Tacario Davis in the third round. Both picks are attempts to shore up a defense that finished 31st in yards allowed last season.
Schrager mentioned the addition of free agents Jonathan Allen (defensive tackle) and Bryan Cook (safety) to go along with Lawrence. Those moves, along with the free-agent signings of Boye Mafe (EDGE) and Kyle Dugger (safety), came before the Lawrence trade, however.
Schrager also discussed the instability in Cincinnati’s division. AFC North rivals Baltimore, Cleveland and Pittsburgh have new coaches heading into 2026.
“The Bengals seem to be the stable situation,” he said. “And Burrow being on site there at minicamp, there’s a lot of reason to be optimistic about the Bengals.”
The Bengals’ defense should be improved. So far, though, the team has done nothing to upgrade a poor linebacking corps. Rookie starters Barrett Carter and Demetrius Knight Jr. ranked 85th and 83rd, respectively, among 88 qualifying linebackers in Pro Football Focus’ 2025 overall grades.
Still, the defense’s move toward the middle of the pack would give Burrow and his offensive weapons — receivers Ja’Marr Chase and Tee Higgins and running back Chase Brown — all the help they need.
Ultimately, it comes down to Burrow’s health. If he plays 17 games, Cincinnati is likely to end a three-year postseason drought. If he doesn’t, they probably won’t.
But a Super Bowl berth following a 6-11 season? We’ll believe that when we see it.
Continue reading...
On April 18, when the Cincinnati Bengals traded the No. 10 overall pick to the New York Giants for defensive tackle Dexter Lawrence, they were roundly criticized for overpaying.
Just another dumb move from a cheap franchise wasting superstar quarterback Joe Burrow’s prime.
MORE: Jaxon Smith-Njigba reacts to latest NFL Honors blunder
Now, one month later, ESPN’s Peter Schrager predicts the Bengals will be a popular choice to win the AFC championship.
“This is going to be the trendy pick for a lot of people for Super Bowl out of the AFC,” Schrager said Tuesday on “Get Up.” “Not only did they spend the fourth-most in the free-agent market … which is not Bengals football, they bring back 11 starters on offense.”
What changed?
It’s difficult to understand what prompted the sudden shift in outlook for Cincinnati.
The Bengals had a solid, if unspectacular, draft, despite not having a first-round pick. They took Texas A&M EDGE Cashius Howell in the second round and Washington cornerback Tacario Davis in the third round. Both picks are attempts to shore up a defense that finished 31st in yards allowed last season.
Schrager mentioned the addition of free agents Jonathan Allen (defensive tackle) and Bryan Cook (safety) to go along with Lawrence. Those moves, along with the free-agent signings of Boye Mafe (EDGE) and Kyle Dugger (safety), came before the Lawrence trade, however.
Schrager also discussed the instability in Cincinnati’s division. AFC North rivals Baltimore, Cleveland and Pittsburgh have new coaches heading into 2026.
“The Bengals seem to be the stable situation,” he said. “And Burrow being on site there at minicamp, there’s a lot of reason to be optimistic about the Bengals.”
What’s the truth?
The Bengals’ defense should be improved. So far, though, the team has done nothing to upgrade a poor linebacking corps. Rookie starters Barrett Carter and Demetrius Knight Jr. ranked 85th and 83rd, respectively, among 88 qualifying linebackers in Pro Football Focus’ 2025 overall grades.
Still, the defense’s move toward the middle of the pack would give Burrow and his offensive weapons — receivers Ja’Marr Chase and Tee Higgins and running back Chase Brown — all the help they need.
Ultimately, it comes down to Burrow’s health. If he plays 17 games, Cincinnati is likely to end a three-year postseason drought. If he doesn’t, they probably won’t.
But a Super Bowl berth following a 6-11 season? We’ll believe that when we see it.
Continue reading...
