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Mike Gesicki Mike Gesicki Back for Year 3 with Bengals
Sat, Jun 27, 2026, 9:16 AM
As the coming season approaches, Gesicki profiles as the main receiving option in a Bengals tight end corps that also features Drew Sample, who makes most of his impact as an inline blocker, John Sheeran of A to Z Sports reports.
Analysis: Also competing for TE slotting are Erick All (knee), Tanner Hudson, Jack Endries, Cam Grandy and Josh Kattus. Gesicki saw his production drop last season to 28 catches (on 42 targets) for 307 yards and two TDs in 13 regular-season games, down from the 65-665-2 line he posted in 2024, his first year with Cincinnati. Four missed games of his own, along with injuries limiting star QB Joe Burrow to eight regular-season appearances in 2025, didn't help Gesicki's cause, but with Noah Fant (34 catches on 41 targets) no longer in the mix, Gesicki has a chance to rebound as a secondary target with some streaming utility in a 2026 passing attack that will continue to lean heavily on WRs Ja'Marr Chase and Tee Higgins, as well as RB Chase Brown. |
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Andrei Iosivas Andrei Iosivas To remain No. 3 WR this season
Fri, Jun 26, 2026, 11:35 AM
Iosivas remains in line to work as the Bengals' No. 3 wide receiver this coming season, John Sheeran of A to Z Sports reports.
Analysis: As Sheeran notes, Iosivas does most of his work out of the slot while working alongside the team's top WR duo, Ja'Marr Chaseand Tee Higgins. In that context during the 2025 regular season, Iosivas recorded 33 catches for 435 yards and two touchdowns in 17 games. Assuming Chase and Higgins stay healthy, Iosivas has modest fantasy appeal out of the gate in 2026, but if injuries hit, he could enter the weekly lineup equation in Cincinnati's Joe Burrow-led passing attack. |
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Joe Burrow Joe Burrow Working under center more
Thu, Jun 25, 2026, 9:54 AM
The Bengals are spending more time working on their under-center offense more this offseason, Paul Dehner Jr. of The Athletic reports.
Analysis: The Bengals have been slow to adapt the growing trend in the NFL of working under center, and using more play-action from that set-up to initiate explosive plays. It's always been Burrow's preference to work out of the shotgun and survey the field, but the evidence suggests that the Bengals, while being successful in that format, are leaving explosive plays on the table as a result. |
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Tee Higgins Tee Higgins Locked in opposite Chase
Wed, Jun 24, 2026, 10:52 AM
Higgins remains entrenched as Cincinnati's No. 2 wide receiver behind Ja'Marr Chase, John Sheeran of A to Z Sports reports.
Analysis: Higgins continues to form one of the NFL's top receiving tandems alongside Chase, with Andrei Iosivas still positioned as a capable No. 3 complement. The 27-year-old tallied a 79-1,034-9 receiving line across 14 regular-season appearances in 2025, and with Joe Burrow healthy plus veteran backup Joe Flacco returning, Cincinnati's passing game appears well positioned entering 2026. Higgins inked a four-year, $115 million contract with the Bengals last offseason and will remain in a productive environment for the foreseeable future. Running back Chase Brown and tight end Mike Gesicki will also factor into the passing game, but Higgins and Chase are established as the clear top targets for Burrow. |
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Ja'Marr Chase Ja'Marr Chase Entrenched atop WR room
Wed, Jun 24, 2026, 10:26 AM
Chase remains the leader of Cincinnati's wide receiver corps alongside Tee Higgins, John Sheeran of A to Z Sports reports.
Analysis: Chase will remain in the mix at the top of the first round of 2026 fantasy drafts, as despite instability at quarterback last year, he led the NFL with 185 targets and totaled a 125-1,412-8 line across 16 regular-season appearances. With Joe Burrow now healthy and veteran backup Joe Flacco back in the fold, Cincinnati's passing game appears better positioned entering 2026. Andrei Iosivas remains the favorite for the No. 3 receiver role behind Chase and Higgins, while running back Chase Brown and tight end Mike Gesicki will also factor into the passing game. |
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Samaje Perine Samaje Perine Remains in backup mix behind Brown
Tue, Jun 23, 2026, 6:23 PM
Perine is set to reprise his backup role behind Chase Brown this coming season, John Sheeran of atozsports.com reports.
Analysis: Like Brown, Perine is approaching the last year of his contract. In 15 regular-season contests during the 2025 campaign, Perine logged 382 yards and three touchdowns on 84 carries, while adding 17 catches for 87 yards. As long as Brown remains healthy, Perine's fantasy value is modest, and it's also possible that 2025 sixth-rounder Tahj Brooks carves out more of a complementary role in 2026 after carrying just 16 times as a rookie. Rounding out Cincinnati's RB depth chart ahead of training camp are Gary Brightwell, Kendall Milton, Kentrel Bullock and Jamal Haynes. |
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Chase Brown Chase Brown Heads into contract year
Tue, Jun 23, 2026, 4:30 PM
As Brown approaches the final year of his rookie contract, he remains the Bengals' clear-cut top option at running back, John Sheeran of atozsports.com reports.
Analysis: Per Ben Baby of ESPN, Brown previously expressed his desire to remain with the team that drafted him in the fifth round of the 2023 NFL Draft, and earlier this offseason the 26-year-old was in communication with the Bengals regarding a possible extension. Brown is coming off a 2025 campaign in which he carried 232 times for 1,016 yards and six TDs in 17 regular season contests and was sixth among all NFL running backs with 437 receiving yards, while adding five aerial TDs among his 69 catches. Looking ahead, Brown is poised to maintain steady weekly volume (and in turn fantasy production) in 2026. Meanwhile Samaje Perine is set to reprise his role as Brown's top backup, though 2025 sixth-rounder Tahj Brooks could see an uptick in complementary touches after recording just 16 carries as a rookie. Also in Cincinnati's backfield mix ahead of training camp are Gary Brightwell, Kendall Milton, Kentrel Bullock and Jamal Haynes. |
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Joe Burrow Joe Burrow Agrees to contract restructure
Tue, Jun 9, 2026, 2:05 PM
Burrow agreed to a restructured contract Tuesday, creating $10 million in cap space for the Bengals, Ian Rapoport of NFL Network reports.
Analysis: Burrow very likely converted a sizable chunk of his $25.25 million salary for 2026 into a bonus. The two-time Comeback Player of the Year has four years remaining on his current five-year, $275 million deal and is tied with a handful of other quarterbacks for second in AAV at $55 million a season, behind Dak Prescott's $60 million per year. Burrow has missed a combined 16 games to injuries over the past three seasons, but during a 2024 season in which he started all 17 regular-season contests, he led the NFL in passing yards (4,918) and passing touchdowns (43). |
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Erick All Jr. Erick All Participating in OTAs
Tue, Jun 2, 2026, 8:39 PM
All (knee) participated in Cincinnati's offseason training activities Tuesday, Paul Dehner of The Athletic reports.
Analysis: All is making progress in his recovery from a torn ACL that held him out of the entirety of last season. The 25-year-old last appeared in a regular-season game in 2024 but will look to make his return during the upcoming campaign. |
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Josh Kattus Josh Kattus Nabs UDFA deal
Fri, May 8, 2026, 6:45 PM
Kattus signed with the Bengals as an undrafted free agent Friday.
Analysis: Kattus mostly served in a blocking role during his four years at Kentucky, finishing with just 38 receptions for 505 yards and six touchdowns over 44 games. He'll need a strong offseason program to secure a spot on the 53-man roster. |
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Noah Thomas Noah Thomas Lands with Bengals
Fri, May 8, 2026, 6:42 PM
Thomas signed with the Bengals as an undrafted free agent Friday.
Analysis: Thomas led Texas A&M with 574 yards and eight touchdowns in his junior season. He subsequently transferred to Georgia for his senior season and got lost in the shuffle, finishing with 16 receptions for 254 yards (sixth on the team) and four touchdowns over 13 games. With a 4.62 40-yard dash at 6-foot-5, 203 pounds, Thomas is likely aiming for a practice-squad role. |
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Earns UDFA deal
Fri, May 8, 2026, 6:38 PM
Haynes signed with the Bengals as an undrafted free agent Friday.
Analysis: Haynes didn't start until his third year at Georgia Tech when he broke out with 174 carries for 1,059 yards (6.1 YPC) and seven touchdowns. His efficiency dropped off over the next two seasons, bottoming out at 4.3 YPC in his fifth year. Still, Haynes has pass-catching chops with 33 receptions for 257 yards in his final season. He'll need to prove himself on special teams to earn a spot in a running back room that already features Chase Brown, Samaje Perine and Tahj Brooks. |
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Pens UDFA contract
Fri, May 8, 2026, 6:08 PM
The Bengals signed Bullock as an undrafted free agent Friday.
Analysis: Bullock (5-foot-10, 205 pounds) spent three seasons at Ole Miss but mostly played on special teams. He subsequently transferred to South Alabama where he played another three seasons, rounding out his collegiate career with 218 carries for 1,085 yards (5.0 YPC) and 14 touchdowns and adding 14 receptions for 53 yards and a score. He ran a 4.53 40-yard dash at his pro day. Bullock will need to make an impact on special teams to crack the Bengals' 53-man roster. |
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Joe Burrow Joe Burrow Continuity on O, more help on D
Fri, May 8, 2026, 2:34 PM
Burrow was present for the start of Cincinnati's voluntary offseason workouts Thursday, Ben Baby of ESPN.com reports.
Analysis: Burrow was limited to eight appearances in 2025 due to a toe injury, but he's healthy at the start of team activities heading into the 2026 season and hoping to lead the Bengals back to the playoffs for the first time since the 2022 campaign. Cincinnati took steps toward accomplishing that goal by bolstering its defensive personnel in the offseason, most notably trading for star defensive tackle Dexter Lawrence. Burrow still has plenty to work with on offense, with the team returning wideouts Ja'Marr Chase, Tee Higgins and Andrei Iosivas, running back Chase Brown and tight end Mike Gesicki. |
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Won't have option year picked up
Thu, Apr 30, 2026, 10:07 AM
The Bengals are declining Murphy's fifth-year option for 2027, Kelsey Conway of the Cincinnati Enquirer reports.
Analysis: Murphy set career-best marks across the board in 2025 with 52 tackles (28 solo), including 5.5 sacks, but that wasn't enough to convince Bengals brass to pick up the 2023 first-round pick's fifth-year option. He remains under contract in 2026 on the fourth year of his rookie deal, and Conway adds that the Bengals are still hoping to work out a long-term extension to keep Murphy in Cincinnati despite choosing not to pick up his fifth-year option. |
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Lands with Cincinnati
Sat, Apr 25, 2026, 5:03 PM
The Bengals selected Robinson in the seventh round of the 2026 NFL Draft, 226th overall.
Analysis: Robinson (6-foot-0, 287 pounds) will add depth to Cincinnati's interior defensive line, which got a tremendous boost after the team traded the No. 10 overall pick to trade for Dexter Lawrence from the Giants, and also inked Jonathan Allen to a two-year deal deal in free agency. Though undersized, Robinson boasts impressive strength and is capable of manufacturing pressure, so it wouldn't be shocking to see him carve out a rotational gig early in his NFL career. |
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Drafted by Bengals
Sat, Apr 25, 2026, 4:47 PM
The Bengals selected Endries in the seventh round of the 2026 NFL Draft, 221st overall.
Analysis: Endries (6-foot-5, 245 pounds) began his collegiate career with a redshirt 2022 campaign at California, which he followed up with two consecutive years as a starter from 2023-24 before transferring to Texas. In his sole season as the Longhorns' starting tight end in 2025, Endries compiled 33 catches for 346 yards and three scores, a step down from the 56-626-2 line he logged with the Golden Bears in 2024. Endries has the size to find a role at the NFL level but lacks difference-making athleticism, so as a rookie he could have a difficult time competing for depth reps with Erick All (ACL), Drew Sample, Tanner Hudson and Cam Grandy (chest) behind top tight end Mike Gesicki. |
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Picked by Cincinnati
Sat, Apr 25, 2026, 3:25 PM
The Bengals selected Parker in the sixth round of the 2026 NFL Draft, 189th overall.
Analysis: Parker (6-foot-5, 309 pounds) was a tackle at Duke who was expected to move to center, not completely unlike former Duke left tackle and current Tampa Bay center Graham Barton, but the NFL obviously regarded Parker as the lesser prospect of the two. Furthermore, the Bengals already drafted a center in the fourth round when they took the distinguished Connor Lew. Perhaps the Bengals will try Parker out at guard rather than center. |
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Picked up by Bengals
Sat, Apr 25, 2026, 1:11 PM
The Bengals selected Young in the fourth round of the 2026 NFL Draft, 140th overall.
Analysis: Young certainly doesn't lack for size at 6-foot-5, 218 pounds, and he moves well for that size, running a 4.49 4-yard dash at the NFL Combine, though he takes a bit of time to get up to speed. Young's height and big frame give him plenty of range, and he's comfortable working down the field, but he doesn't have a special-teams background. That's likely something he'll need to learn with the Bengals, but Young will also get an opportunity to hone his craft behind two star wideouts in Ja'Marr Chase and Tee Higgins. However, the room behind that duo and Andrei Iosivas is largely unproven, so Young could have a chance to carve out a spot pretty high on the depth chart with a good showing in training camp. |
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Bound for Cincinnati
Sat, Apr 25, 2026, 12:36 PM
The Bengals selected Lew (knee) in the fourth round of the 2026 NFL Draft, 128th overall.
Analysis: Lew broke into the starting lineup as a true freshman at Auburn in 2023 and started the final 25 games of his college career before tearing his left ACL in 2025. The injury certainly affected his draft stock to some degree because he couldn't participate in athletic testing, but he's expected to be ready for training camp. Lew is on track to serve as the backup center in 2026 behind Ted Karras, a 33-year-old who has started every game over the past four years but has just one year left on his contract. |
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