The Cincinnati Bengals have had a lot of success since Joe Burrow joined the team after being drafted No. 1 overall in the 2020 NFL Draft.
While the defense might struggle, the offense has been great. This past season, the offense wasn't the problem. And after the Bengals agreed on a $5 million extension with Dalton Risner, their offense is fully running it back in 2026.
But, as Ari Meirov of The 33rd Team pointed out following that $5 million extension, there's some hard-to-believe history with that agreement. Somehow, the 2026 season will be the first year that Burrow will have the same entire OL for two years in a row.
Bengals to finally bring back entire OL for first time since Joe Burrow was drafted
"The Bengals are poised to enter 2026 with all five of their main starting offensive lineman from 2025," Meirov notes. "... That has never happened with Joe Burrow at QB."
Orlando Brown Jr. is the left tackle, Dylan Fairchild is the left guard, Ted Karras is the center, Risner is the right guard, and Amarius Mims will be the right tackle in the fully returning offensive line.
For every team, protecting the quarterback should be the top priority. Especially in the Bengals case, with Burrow sustaining multiple lengthy injuries in his career, good protection is a must.
Burrow will be entering his seventh season in the NFL in 2026, and it will somehow be the first time that the Bengals will have the same offensive line as the year before.
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Of course, the Bengals could find a replacement starter who's better, or trade one of these players away. But if nothing changes by Week 1, then Burrow will finally have the entire offensive line come back from the year prior for the first time in his career.
While this unit might not be the best offensive line in the NFL, and while none of the starters might be the best at their position, as a whole, this offensive line is one of the best Burrow has had in his career.
Bringing Risner back for another year is huge. It gives Burrow some stability along the offensive line and keeps a fan favorite in Cincinnati on a very reasonable deal.
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