Cincinnati Bengals 2026 Team Preview: A Season of Struggles
The Cincinnati Bengals concluded the 2025 NFL season with a disappointing 6-11 record, largely impacted by quarterback Joe Burrow's injury early in the season. Burrow suffered a turf toe injury in Week 2, which hindered the team's performance and led to struggles with backup quarterback Jake Browning.
In a series of unfortunate games, the Bengals faced heavy defeats, including a significant loss to the Minnesota Vikings and a home defeat against the Detroit Lions. Midseason, the team acquired veteran quarterback Joe Flacco, but his presence did not significantly improve their fortunes, as they continued to lose crucial games, including a collapse against the New York Jets.
Despite these challenges, the Bengals made moves in the offseason, trading for defensive tackle Dexter Lawrence and signing several free agents to bolster their defense. However, questions remain about whether these changes will be enough to turn the team's fortunes around in the upcoming season.
