Joe Burrow Makes Bold Bengals Claim Ahead of 2026
The Cincinnati Bengals finished with a 6-11 record in 2025, and they have missed the playoffs in three straight seasons since the AFC title game loss.
Joe Burrow and the Bengals got a Super Bowl taste, but the Los Angeles Rams defeated them in a close game in Super Bowl LVI.
And, Burrow is trying his hardest to bring this team back to the Big Game.
The Bengals roster saw some changes, as usual, with star pass rusher Trey Hendrickson leaving and signing a massive deal with the Baltimore Ravens in free agency.
Still, Burrow is ready for the season, and he had a bold claim about this year's roster.
"This is the most talented roster that we have had since I have been here," Burrow said.
#Bengals QB Joe Burrow says this team is the most talented roster they've had since he entered the NFL, and that includes the team that made the Super Bowl in 2021.
— Ari Meirov (@MySportsUpdate) May 20, 2026
Burrow also said throwing 48 TDs, which would break the all-time franchise record, is "doable."
( @Bengals) pic.twitter.com/Za7jF8xl2H
The offensive nucleus of Ja'Marr Chase and Tee Higgins is back at wide receiver, Chase Brown is back at running back, and tight end Mike Gesicki is loking to become a consistent option at tight end.
On top of that, the Bengals made a lot of moves in free agency, especially on the defensive side of the ball.
The Bengals signed Kansas City Chiefs safety Bryan Cook to a three-year deal worth $40 million and added edge rusher Boye Mafe to a three-year deal worth $60 million.
The Bengals brought in defensive tackle Jonathan Allen and traded for New York Giants star DT Dexter Lawrence in exchange for their first-round pick.
Joe Burrow Loves What Bengals Have Done
The addition of Lawrence, Mafe and Cook are huge pieces to the defense, and Burrow even said they added the "best defensive tackle" this offseason.
Burrow also said they added the "best free agent safety" with the signing of Cook.
Joe Burrow: We signed the best free agent safety, got the best defensive tackle in my opinion, got a lot of depth on defensive line.
— Joe Danneman (@FOX19Joe) May 20, 2026
"We've got everything we need in that locker room, we just got to go make it happen."
The AFC North looks tough once again. Aaron Rodgers is back at QB for the Pittsburgh Steelers, and the Baltimore Ravens have Lamar Jackson and Derrick Henry there and added Hendrickson and some other pieces this offseason.
But, as Burrow said, the Bengals just have to make it happen, and the hope is that they can return to the playoffs in 2026.
Related: Dexter Lawrence, Giants Trade Points to Messy Divorce Before Bengals' Payday
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This story was originally published May 20, 2026 at 9:56 AM.