The Cincinnati Bengals had a mixed 2025-26 season, as they did better than expected, having Joe Burrow sidelined, but still rounded out the season with a 6-11 record.
Whenever a star quarterback is injured, it hurts the team, and that was part of the Bengals’ problem in the 2025 season. But they’ve done some impressive things during the offseason to put them in a better position for the upcoming season.
In a fresh feature for Fox Sports, Ben Arthur ranks the strongest offenses in the NFL at this moment. “There’s still a long way to go before we see real football again,” he notes in the piece. “But with the NFL Draft in the books and the majority of the top-tier free agents signed, teams know what the core of their squads will look like in 2026.”
Arthur puts the Bengals’ offense at No. 3.
“The Bengals haven't made any moves of note on offense - their offseason focus has been on the defense - but with a healthy Joe Burrow under center, Cincinnati still has one of the most feared units in football,” he states. “The Bengals, who ranked 12th in scoring last season with Burrow missing nine games due to turf toe, return their entire starting offense from 2025.”
Why It Matters: The State of the Bengals in 2026
While I agree that the Bengals will be strong in 2026, to put them at the No. 3 offense in the league is a bit of a stretch, in my opinion. Having a healthy Joe Burrow will make a huge difference, but they were still solid under veteran Joe Flacco in 2025, so having Burrow back might not be the boost people expect. Either way, the Bengals have set themselves up for a good 2026. But the No. 3 offense is a bit of a question mark.
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