Joe Burrow Cincinnati Bengals
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Joe Burrow #9 of the Cincinnati Bengals
The Cincinnati Bengals have made a handful of fantastic acquisitions on the defensive side of the ball.
Bryan Cook, Jonathan Allen, and Boye Mafe highlight their 2026 free agency haul. The moves are right on time, as Cinci’s defense in 2025 was truly horrific.
Another underrated move is the signing of QB Josh Johnson. Johnson joins the QB room of obvious starter Joe Burrow and Sean Clifford. The reason this is underrated, however, is because it may signal off what the Bengals are waiting for in the QB room.
Everyone knows Burrow has injury concerns, and no one is more aware of that than the Bengals themselves.
Bengals Likely Awaiting Joe Flacco Decision
Micheal Clemons, Jets
GettyCINCINNATI, OHIO – OCTOBER 26: Micheal Clemons #72 of the New York Jets pressures Joe Flacco #16 of the Cincinnati Bengals during the third quarter in the game at Paycor Stadium on October 26, 2025 in Cincinnati, Ohio. (Photo by Justin Casterline/Getty Images)
The angle comes from The Athletic‘s Paul Dehner Jr.
“When the Bengals signed 14-team NFL legend Josh Johnson (for the third time) on Saturday, it sent a clear message about their approach to backing up Burrow: They plan on waiting for Joe Flacco.
Flacco stated he wants to find a job where he can compete to start. He’s also said that if he can’t find that, he’d be interested in returning to Cincinnati, where he posted some of the best individual games of his storied career.”
A once-mentioned landing spot for Flacco was the Atlanta Falcons. Atlanta was in need of a starting QB at the time with the late-season injury to Michael Penix Jr. The Flacco tie to Kevin Stefanski made it only make more sense. Of course, since then, the Falcons have signed QB Tua Tagovailoa.
With an injury-riddled QB, the Bengals probably know that they can’t rely on a QB room consisting of Johnson and Clifford behind him. It may be breaking their way, as most starting QB gigs in the NFL have all been taken.
Bengals Have 10th Overall Pick In 2026 NFL Draft
GettyPITTSBURGH, PENNSYLVANIA – NOVEMBER 16: Head coach Zac Taylor of the Cincinnati Bengals looks on during the first half against the Pittsburgh Steelers at Acrisure Stadium on November 16, 2025 in Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania. (Photo by Justin K. Aller/Getty Images)
We are fast approaching the 2026 NFL Draft. The Bengals hold the 10th overall selection in the first round of the event.
It is likely that Cinci will continue to pour resources into the defensive side of the ball. A lot of defenders will go in front of them, but not all at positions of need.
There will likely be three edge rushers come off the board before 10th overall. Rueben Bain Jr., David Bailey, and Arvell Reese should all get their names called early. Of course, QB Fernando Mendoza is going first overall. Additionally, RB Jeremiyah Love, WR Carnell Tate, and your choice of a tackle will be gone.
This could put the Bengals beautifully in position to have their choice of Caleb Downs or Mansoor Delanne at 10th.
Both of these players are the best at their position in the draft, and would provide real young upside to a defense that badly needs it.