2026 Off-season notes

[glasgowbengal]

22 minutes ago, ArmyBengal said:

A “Wee bit more” ??

Understatement of the century !!

LOL

I was trying to be kind! 

[Stripes]

6 hours ago, ArmyBengal said:

Oh I think it's in Burrow's head and he himself has alluded to that.
This may not be the popular take and I have no proof, but I think the only way he works through what he has said is happening with him in those early games is to be more prepared.  To your point Hoosier, he's a man of many different tastes and interests.  I have no issue with any of that stuff, minus another one of our QB's sponsoring an item with them stuffing a huge wiener in their mouth.  I just hope he's taking enough time to do the things which need to be done in order to work through those mental hurdles.  If they start cold again, I'm putting it on Burrow.  Again, may not be a popular take.

The Carson Palmer Cornhole Classic is a time-honored tradition among cornhole enthusiasts. I know I look forward to sliding my sacks down the wood toward that cornhole.

[HoosierCat]

3 hours ago, glasgowbengal said:

Bengals confirmed to be playing the Falcons in Madrid on November 8th.

Likely they get a bye the following week, which would be perfect timing.

[COB]

Seriously considering going to Madrid for that game.

[TJJackson]

They dont have Arby's in Madrid

[COB]

Possible Whataburger location though, looking into it.

[TJJackson]

If you like Whataburger, you need to move several hundred miles to the south :-)

The fast food I really miss for Cincinnati is Hardees......most especially the breakfast biscuits. 

related aside: I also found a better version of Arbys in Missouri/KC area called Lions Choice

[ArmyBengal]

I have been amused for quite some time that of all the American fast food burger joints there are to choose from, one of the ones you can find in Madrid is a Steak and Shake.  Whenever traveling over that way, the last thing I want is American food.

Glasgow...  you did well in being kind.

All the things to see, the culture, the food, just everything.  I love Madrid and would absolutely consider going.
However, right now I have other travel plans and not sure if things will open up.  I'm hopeful, but realistic.

Sort of like being a Bengals fan...

[COB]

I looked it up and the Madrid area has zero Arby’s.  In a cruel plot twist, there are 200 Burger King locations in Madrid.  

[COB]

In a place like Madrid, where the universe is askew, has been tilted on its axis by virtue of no Arby’s anywhere even close, can Joe burrow even be expected to win a football game?  We’re sending our boy over to bizarro world and expecting him to just sling it?  

This is a direct message to Arby’s:  Attention Arby’s Overlords who control 17% of all American life, restore order to the universe, immediately build ten Arby’s in Madrid so the Bengals have a fighting chance against the Falcons.

[COB]

9 hours ago, TJJackson said:

If you like Whataburger, you need to move several hundred miles to the south :-)

The fast food I really miss for Cincinnati is Hardees......most especially the breakfast biscuits. 

related aside: I also found a better version of Arbys in Missouri/KC area called Lions Choice

Like Whataburger?  I worship Whataburger.  If you can, check out their Dr. Pepper milkshake.  It randomly appears on their menu for a few months, disappears for a year, then shows up again.  It’s basically the crack of fast food.  And fast food is the crack of food.  So it’s food crack to the 2nd power.  Good luck once you try a Dr Pepper milkshake.  It takes over a significant portion of your brain and thereafter you function at about 70% of what you were before.  But even though your cognitive abilities are compromised, and you’ll legally qualify as mentally disabled, it’s still pretty much worth it.  

[HoosierCat]

For all you world travelers, the full slate of 9 international games is here: https://media.nfl.com/news-and-releases/international/nfl-unveils-2026-international-games-schedule

AFCN is well-represented on the world stage in 2026. In addition to the Bengals in Madrid, Baltimore heads to Rio in week 3, and the Steelers travel to Paris in week 7. I think we are the only division sending three teams overseas this year.

[ArmyBengal]

The Texans and Jags would be the only other game I would have interest in, but I'm going out to LA the end of that same month to catch the Ohio State/USC game at the Memorial Coliseum.  As much as I would like to do both, things start to get rather costly quick.  Depending on when it hits the schedule, I'm pretty sure we are hitting up the Texans/Bengals game in Houston as well.

Pretty sure Mrs. ArmyBengal is going to put the clamps on the sports travel after those two, but we will see.
Her and the youngest ArmyBengal in the house both have fallen in love with seeing Buckeyes games up in Columbus, so there will be a 2-3 of those on the slate as well.

I love football !!

[HoosierCat]

All I’ll say is buy your plane tickets now because jet fuel prices are already going through the roof (see Airlines, Spirit).

[HoosierCat]

Davis signed. Just Howell outstanding now.

https://www.wlwt.com/article/tacario-davis-cincinnati-bengals-rookie-contract-draft/71297384

[HoosierCat]

For reference:

39 Denzel Boston 4/$12.385m fully guaranteed 

40 R Mason Thomas unsigned

41 Cashius Howell unsigned

42 Christen Miller 4/$11.795m fully guaranteed 

So Howell should get around 11.9. Get it done,  Pumpkie, don’t spoil the good vibes.

[ArmyBengal]

On a positive note, Shemar gave Dexter #97 and the legacy of Geno should bear better results.

Shemar is now wearing Hubbard’s #94.

[HoosierCat]

Sked leaks so far:

Week 1 vs. Tampa Bay Buccaneers

Week 9 at Atlanta Falcons (Madrid)

Week 10 vs. Pittsburgh Steelers (SNF)

Week 11 at Washington Commanders (MNF)

Week 17 vs. Baltimore Ravens (Thursday Night Football)

first seven games are 1 pm kickoffs, per reports (Jordan Schultz). Bye is week 6 if you believe Eight Five.