2026 Off-season notes

[COB]

18 hours ago, TJJackson said:

How many orders of potato cakes?

There actually were potatoes in the hash I ordered (brunch menu).  

[HoosierCat]

Uhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhh…so bored (kicks back of seat several times, whines at Army, “Are we there yet? Is this stupid off-season over yet?”). C’mon Bengals, step it up! No one has punched a woman or gotten a DUI or bitched about their contract in FOREVER. So…freakin…borrrrrrrrrrrrrrrred.

[COB]

This off season truly is dull.  

 

 I went to visit my mother at her assisted-living facility yesterday. 

 

When I was leaving the same old guy, who is always there, was sitting at the nurses station. 

 

And as always, he mean, mugged me like he’s a menace to society or something.  Dude’s probably in his 90s. 

He’s done it to me pretty much every time I’ve walked through there. He probably has dementia.  He has sort of that vacant look and he never ever speaks to anyone. I’m 99% sure he has dementia. 

 

Nonetheless, I mean, don’t fuck with me.  So when I was leaving, I just blatantly locked eyes with him.  I walked the 7 or 8 steps right towards him and he finally averted his gaze when I was just a few feet away. 

 

 Make of that what you will. I don’t know what it says about me, but yes, I backed down a 95-year-old dementia patient in my mother’s assisted living facility. 

 

 I will answer the obvious question before anyone even asks it. No, he was not in a wheelchair. He does use a walker though.

[ArmyBengal]

COB I can totally relate.

My divorced mother and father in law are in the same nursing facility.
It's hilarious watching these two go back and forth with each other when they are around each other.

That being said, some of the old ladies in that joint are next level with how they approach men.
Just when I thought it was only a "Dirty Old Man" thing that happened, you hear these raunchy old women that say and do the same thing if not worse.  Even offering candy and handmade items in exchange for favors.

It's a shame I don't like Three Musketeers and scarfs or I might break some hips in that joint.

[HoosierCat]

Let the record show that this thread has now reached the “nursing home nookie” level. Looking down, I believe the next stop is Avernus (the first layer of the nine hells). Prepare to abandon all hope…

[HoosierCat]

Is our Bengals learning…?

https://www.nytimes.com/athletic/7387460/2026/06/24/bengals-offense-under-center-joe-burrow/ 

I mean, we’ve only been yelling about this for like 3-4 years.

[ArmyBengal]

I still hate the linebacker situation.

I know that probably comes as a complete shock to everyone on the board, but I really do.
It's the one spot I'm concerned about the most.

They placed all of their eggs in the basket of Knight and Barrett, neither of whom were good last year.
I get they are hopeful for them ascending into average players in year two, but that is back to hope and pray.

Our FA pick up from last year Oren Burks was an afterthought and depth is nothing more than questions.
So in the event of injuries to one of the soon to be average starters, what then?

I get that people may "feel good" about guys like Dingle and Gentry.  That's serious hope and pray territory.
Think Njongmeta at best at this point in time.  Big flash, nothing to note and gone like a fart in the wind.

I really hope I'm wrong and I AM rooting for Knight and Barrett, but if they suck again, I'm going to be pissed.

SIDE NOTE:  If you weren't aware, no one cares that I will be pissed so don't read too much into that.

[COB]

I can see them signing a LB vet during or after camp.  They say they’re set at LB but they can’t be that delusional.

[Stripes]

From where I stand, the four biggest weaknesses (or question marks) on the roster are pretty clear-cut:

Linebacker, slot corner, edge rusher, and defensive coordinator

Otherwise, I think everything should be average or better. Edge rusher could end up better, but I need to see it.

[HoosierCat]

I think Knight and Carter will be fine. Their was a noticeable uptick in their play in the second half of last season, and they will have a much better line in front of them.

That said I don’t think they are long term answers. Knight’s age will be an issue by the time his rookie deal ends and Carter’s ceiling is probably average-ish starter. Going to have to go back to that draft well again in the next couple years.

I would also be surprised if they didn’t scoop up a vet when roster cuts start to come down.  There’s been some speculation Queen could shake loose from Pitt, which would be an interesting conversation.

[ArmyBengal]

They have made moves I like and appreciate the effort for sure.

I know there is money which in all probability will be spent elsewhere, but I simply don't like this being the ALL IN answer at the linebacker position.  The only hope is that Knight and Barrett become average and then stay healthy all season long with no let down along the way.  I simply think that is being shortsighted when considering the moves they have in fact made and when looking at a depth chart that screams questions.

[ArmyBengal]

21 hours ago, Stripes said:

From where I stand, the four biggest weaknesses (or question marks) on the roster are pretty clear-cut:

Linebacker, slot corner, edge rusher, and defensive coordinator

Otherwise, I think everything should be average or better. Edge rusher could end up better, but I need to see it.

Linebacker: noted...

Slot corner:  Agree there as well and another spot hoping for development with a guy like Newton and/or Jalen Davis.  Unfortunately, despite using a draft pick on Tacario Davis, he doesn't really help with the slot conversation.  Ja'Sir Taylor was brought in, but he's not high on my list to be honest.  There isn't much out there on the free agent heap to help either, so maybe a cut down area to be addressed?

Edge Rusher:  While I am very interested in seeing what Howell brings to the game, the development of Stewart and to a lesser degree the addition of Mafe, my real hope for this group is what now mans the middle of the D-line.  Dexter Lawrence and a rotation of Hill and Allen is light years ahead of last year and should make things more interesting for this group to run around.  Still not sold on Murphy in the least.

 

 

[Stripes]

I really hope Al Golden follows the Anarumo path and proves himself competent. I am a bit worried he’s going to be more of a Chuck Bresnehan.

[ArmyBengal]

Yeah, I didn't mention him.  I'm not all in on him sucking quite yet and will give him some more time.
Last year was his first year and while it certainly went poorly, he inherited a crap fest of a situation.

Hendrickson was well, Hendrickson with his contract and then injuries and never had an impact.
Ossai was the other starting DE, with Stewart's rookie season basically over with the contract situation and injuries.
BJ Hill and Slaton were the starters in the middle with no crap rotational depth.
Knight and Barrett were thrown to the wolves and eaten alive over most of the season.
There were still questions with the CB's heading into 2025 and the safeties were atrocious.

There was literally next to nothing about the defense that resembled something solid. 
NOW, if after all the resources and money spent on the defense this offseason, they still struggle and end up near the bottom of the defensive rankings, he really needs to be shown his way back to the college ranks.

It's been said many times before that this defensive unit simply needs to be in the top half and this team makes a deep playoff run.  The bar is low for Golden to be considered successful.  When looking at the additions and the subtractions of distraction and suckage, it's why I'm so looking forward to this season.

Dare I say 2026 could be special?