The Cincinnati Bengals have nearly $20 million in salary-cap space heading into Week 1 and that creates a very important question. Who are they planning to pay? ESPN's Jeremy Fowler reported that the Bengals and cornerback D.J. Turner are not close on a long-term contract extension, with virtually no chance of a deal getting done before Week 1 unless negotiations suddenly take a major turn. John Sheeran breaks down what the Turner news means for Cincinnati, why a franchise tag could eventually be in play and what the Bengals are going to do with the significant amount of salary-cap space they deliberately created this offseason. Turner appeared to be the obvious candidate for a contract extension. He is entering his prime, is coming off the best season of his career and has established himself as a starting cornerback in Cincinnati's defense. The Bengals have also historically valued the position and have paid their own defensive backs when they believed they were worth the investment. But the latest report suggests Cincinnati and Turner remain far apart. That immediately brings up the Jesse Bates comparison. Bates had a breakout third season in 2020 but did not receive a long-term extension from Cincinnati. The Bengals ultimately used the franchise tag on him in 2022, and Bates eventually left for the Atlanta Falcons in free agency. John explains why Turner's situation has some striking similarities to what happened with Bates and why Bengals fans should be paying attention to how Cincinnati handles this negotiation. But the biggest question may be what happens with the money if Turner doesn't get extended. The Bengals currently have approximately $18.5 million in salary-cap space after restructuring Joe Burrow's contract earlier this offseason. That restructure created roughly $10 million of additional room for the 2026 season while pushing some of the cost into future years. Cincinnati is unlikely to spend every dollar of that space, but John points out that the Bengals have typically entered the season with much less available cap room than they currently have. So if Turner isn't the player who gets an extension, who is? John examines three other possibilities. Myles Murphy is scheduled to become a free agent after the season after Cincinnati declined his fifth-year option. If the Bengals weren't willing to guarantee him roughly $14.5 million for the following season, however, John questions whether the team will offer the type of long-term contract Murphy would actually accept. Dax Hill is also playing on his fifth-year option after being selected in the first round of the 2022 NFL Draft. Cincinnati has not shown obvious signs of working toward an extension with Hill, who could use this season as an opportunity to establish himself as a full-time starter before entering free agency. Then there is Chase Brown. Brown could be the most affordable option of the four. John explains why Cincinnati could potentially justify a three-year contract worth approximately $11-$13 million for its young running back, while also acknowledging the larger question of whether it makes sense to commit significant money to a running back. But that decision could have major consequences for the Bengals' defense. If Turner, Murphy and Hill all play out their contracts, Cincinnati could enter the 2027 offseason with multiple important defensive starters scheduled to hit free agency. That's why this isn't simply a D.J. Turner contract story. Subscribe to A to Z Sports Cincinnati for Bengals news, contract updates, roster analysis and everything you need heading into the 2026 NFL season. #Bengals #CincinnatiBengals #WhoDey #NFL 0:00 Bengals have a HUGE contract question 0:52 DJ Turner extension update 2:16 Why the Jesse Bates comparison matters 4:24 What happens if Turner isn't extended? 5:19 Bengals have $18.5M in cap space 6:26 Could Myles Murphy get paid? 7:07 What's next for Dax Hill? 7:54 Should the Bengals pay Chase Brown? 8:45 The Bengals' 2027 problem 9:26 What was the point of Burrow's restructure? 9:49 Who should the Bengals extend? HOW TO ENTER: 1. Visit and make sure A to Z Sports is checked 2. Comment GO BENGALS below! If selected, you must be able to verify that A to Z Sports was selected as a preferred source. A to Z Sports Giveaway Terms & Conditions: ***** Play A to Z Sports Daily Games: For more Bengals coverage: Facebook: Twitter/X: Instagram: TikTok: #CincinnatiBengals #Bengals #BengalsFootball #WhoDey #NFL #NFLFootball

The Cincinnati Bengals suddenly have one of the most interesting roster battles on their entire team. After adding Myles Hinton off waivers and signing Blake Freeland to the practice squad, Cincinnati now has four different offensive tackles competing for one important role: Who is the Bengals' swing tackle? John Sheeran breaks down Javon Foster, Jalen Rivers, Myles Hinton and Blake Freeland, including their strengths, weaknesses and who has the best chance to earn the backup tackle job heading into the 2026 season. Right now, Javon Foster appears to have the early advantage. Foster was with Cincinnati throughout last season after joining the practice squad, giving him valuable experience in Scott Peters' offensive line system. During the preseason, Foster played left tackle consistently and looked like the best option among Cincinnati's original backup tackle candidates. However, Foster still has questions to answer. While he has the size, length and power to handle bigger defensive linemen, John explains why speed rushers and athletic edge defenders create problems for Foster because of his foot speed and movement ability. Then there is Jalen Rivers. Rivers entered Cincinnati as a draft pick with tackle versatility, but his future may ultimately be at guard. Unlike Foster, Rivers already has regular season experience after starting games at right guard last season. The question is whether Cincinnati still views him as a legitimate tackle option or whether he has found his long-term home inside. The Bengals' newest addition, Myles Hinton, may have the highest upside of anyone in the competition. Hinton was a sixth-round pick by the Philadelphia Eagles and brings an impressive athletic profile to Cincinnati. At 6-foot-6 and 340 pounds, with experience at both left and right tackle, Hinton has the physical traits the Bengals value. The biggest challenge? Developing the technical side of his game. John explains why Hinton's hand usage and consistency will determine whether his athletic ability translates into a real NFL role. Finally, Blake Freeland enters the competition as the wild card. The former fourth-round pick has NFL experience, starting games as a rookie with the Indianapolis Colts. He has the athleticism and versatility to compete immediately, but he will need to prove he can overcome the struggles he showed earlier in his career. The Bengals may not have a clear winner yet. But they now have four options and that is a much better situation than where they were entering the preseason. Who should be Cincinnati's swing tackle? Javon Foster? Myles Hinton? Blake Freeland? Jalen Rivers? John Sheeran breaks down the Bengals' biggest offensive line competition before Week 1. Subscribe to A to Z Sports Cincinnati for Bengals news, roster updates, analysis and everything you need heading into the 2026 NFL season. 0:00 Bengals suddenly have a tackle competition 0:48 Why this battle matters 2:40 Javon Foster evaluation 4:20 Jalen Rivers evaluation 6:18 Myles Hinton evaluation 8:24 Blake Freeland evaluation 10:43 Who wins the swing tackle job? 12:00 Final prediction #Bengals #CincinnatiBengals #WhoDey #NFL HOW TO ENTER: 1. Visit and make sure A to Z Sports is checked 2. Comment GO BENGALS below! If selected, you must be able to verify that A to Z Sports was selected as a preferred source. A to Z Sports Giveaway Terms & Conditions: ***** Play A to Z Sports Daily Games: For more Bengals coverage: Facebook: Twitter/X: Instagram: TikTok: #CincinnatiBengals #Bengals #BengalsFootball #WhoDey #NFL #NFLFootball

HOW TO ENTER: 1. Visit and make sure A to Z Sports is checked 2. Comment GO BENGALS below! If selected, you must be able to verify that A to Z Sports was selected as a preferred source. A to Z Sports Giveaway Terms & Conditions: ***** The Cincinnati Bengals have their initial 53-man roster set, but there are still several important decisions and storylines to monitor before Week 1. John Sheeran breaks down the latest Bengals roster updates, including Tanner Hudson returning to the practice squad, the remaining practice squad decisions, Ja'Marr Chase's injury status and Dax Hill returning to practice before the regular season opener against the Tampa Bay Buccaneers. The biggest storyline heading into Week 1 is Ja'Marr Chase. Chase suffered what appeared to be a scary knee injury during practice last week when his foot stuck in the ground and he went down. Thankfully, the injury ended up being a slight hyperextension rather than something more serious. However, John explains why the Bengals still need to be careful with one of the most important players on their roster. With no official practice reports required yet, Cincinnati has not provided a detailed update on Chase's status. The question now is how much work Chase receives leading up to the opener. Will the Bengals allow him to fully practice? Will they limit his reps? Or will they take the cautious approach and make sure Chase is completely healthy before Week 1? John also discusses the Bengals' evolving practice squad. After claiming Myles Hinton off waivers and releasing Tanner Hudson, Cincinnati brought Hudson back to the practice squad. John explains why that move made sense, including Hudson's experience as a vested veteran and his familiarity with Zac Taylor's offense. Hudson has been an important depth piece for Cincinnati since joining the team in 2022 and gives the Bengals flexibility at tight end if injuries occur during the season. The Bengals also added Josh Johnson back to the practice squad and continue filling out the rest of their available spots. On the positive injury front, safety Dax Hill returned to practice. Hill has missed nearly a month with a hamstring injury, but his return before Week 1 is a major development for Cincinnati's secondary. John explains why the Bengals may still bring him along slowly and potentially rotate him early in the season to avoid another setback. With Brian Cook also returning in a limited capacity, Cincinnati's secondary is trending toward full health. Finally, John discusses whether the Bengals could still make another move before Week 1, including a possible offensive tackle trade. Cincinnati now has Myles Hinton, Javon Foster and Jalen Rivers competing for backup tackle roles, but the Bengals have made late offseason additions before including Dalton Risner last season. The roster may be set, but the Bengals still have important decisions before Tampa Bay arrives. Subscribe to A to Z Sports Cincinnati for Bengals news, injury updates, roster moves and everything you need heading into the 2026 NFL season. 0:00 Bengals still have work before Week 1 0:42 Tanner Hudson returns to practice squad 3:20 Bengals practice squad updates 5:15 Ja'Marr Chase injury watch 7:10 Dax Hill returns to practice 8:35 Could Bengals make another move? 9:40 Week 1 is almost here #Bengals #CincinnatiBengals #WhoDey #NFL Play A to Z Sports Daily Games: For more Bengals coverage: Facebook: Twitter/X: Instagram: TikTok: #CincinnatiBengals #Bengals #BengalsFootball #WhoDey #NFL #NFLFootball

1. Visit and make sure A to Z Sports is checked 2. Comment your answer to the giveaway question asked in this video before the start of the 2026 NFL season 3. If selected, you must be able to verify that A to Z Sports was selected as a preferred source. Link to Rules The Cincinnati Bengals weren't done improving their offensive line after final roster cuts. After keeping both Javon Foster and Jalen Rivers on the initial 53-man roster, Cincinnati still had questions about who would become the true backup swing tackle behind Orlando Brown Jr. and Amarius Mims. Now, the Bengals have made their move. Cincinnati claimed offensive tackle Myles Hinton off waivers, adding another young tackle prospect with experience on both sides of the offensive line. John Sheeran breaks down why the Bengals targeted Hinton, what he brings to the roster and what this could mean for Javon Foster and Jalen Rivers. Hinton was originally selected by the Philadelphia Eagles in the sixth round of the 2025 NFL Draft out of Michigan. While he has not appeared in a regular season game yet, he played in all three preseason games as a rookie and again during his second preseason with Philadelphia. Most importantly, Hinton's latest tape came directly against the Bengals. During Cincinnati's preseason finale against Philadelphia, Hinton played 14 snaps and was impressive in pass protection. John explains why the Bengals likely liked what they saw from that game, but also why they probably evaluated his entire preseason and developmental background before making the waiver claim. One of Hinton's biggest advantages is his versatility. He spent his first three college seasons at Stanford primarily playing right tackle before moving to Michigan and starting at left tackle during the 2024 season. That experience on both sides of the offensive line gives Cincinnati flexibility behind Brown and Mims. John also explains why Hinton may have a better athletic profile than the players he is competing with. Javon Foster showed strong technical ability during the preseason, but athleticism and movement skills were concerns. Jalen Rivers also appears to have a clearer path at guard after struggling to project as an NFL tackle. The Bengals have invested heavily in developing offensive linemen under Scott Peters, and John explains why Hinton's combination of size, athleticism and developmental upside makes him an intriguing addition. At 6-foot-6 and 342 pounds, Hinton has the type of size Cincinnati values at tackle while still offering the movement skills needed in today's NFL. The biggest question now: What happens to Javon Foster or Jalen Rivers? Will Cincinnati keep both? Will one move to the practice squad? Or does this waiver claim officially end the competition for the Bengals' OT3 role? John Sheeran breaks down Cincinnati's newest addition and what it means for the Bengals offensive line heading into Week 1. Subscribe to A to Z Sports Cincinnati for Bengals news, roster updates, waiver claims, analysis and everything you need heading into the 2026 NFL season. 0:00 Bengals finally address OT depth 0:55 Why Myles Hinton was added 2:01 Who is Myles Hinton? 3:05 Why versatility matters 4:14 Hinton vs Foster and Rivers 5:25 Bengals' offensive line development 6:55 What happens to Jalen Rivers? 7:35 Bengals practice squad updates 8:40 Final thoughts on Hinton #Bengals #CincinnatiBengals #WhoDey #NFL A to Z Sports Giveaway Terms & Conditions: Play A to Z Sports Daily Games: For more Bengals coverage: Facebook: Twitter/X: Instagram: TikTok: #CincinnatiBengals #Bengals #BengalsFootball #WhoDey #NFL #NFLFootball

The Cincinnati Bengals are entering their final preseason game against the Philadelphia Eagles, and several players are fighting for their futures in Cincinnati. John Sheeran breaks down the Bengals roster battles that matter most before final cuts, including Charlie Jones, Dohnte Meyers, Mitchell Tinsley, McKinnley Jackson, Kris Jenkins Jr., Landon Robinson, Josh Newton, Tanner Hudson and several other players whose Bengals futures could be decided Friday night. The Bengals have to trim their roster from 88 players down to 53 by Sunday evening, and while many players will return to the practice squad, others could be playing their final game in Cincinnati. The first major battle comes at wide receiver and returner. Charlie Jones has been one of Cincinnati's primary return options since arriving as a fourth-round pick in 2023, but Dohnte Meyers' emergence has complicated the picture. Meyers has received first-team reps with Joe Burrow and has provided value as both a receiver and returner throughout the preseason. Could Cincinnati keep both players? Or does that create a path for another player like Keyshawn Williams to take the return role and push Mitchell Tinsley out of the picture? John explains why Tinsley, who looked like a roster lock earlier in the offseason, is now suddenly one of the more interesting bubble players because of the Bengals' receiver depth. The defensive line presents another fascinating decision. McKinnley Jackson has flashed during his time in Cincinnati, but the Bengals' defensive tackle room has completely changed after adding Dexter Lawrence and keeping T.J. Slaton. With Landon Robinson emerging and Kris Jenkins Jr. still viewed as a valuable young player, Jackson could be the odd man out. John also discusses why Jenkins and Robinson could still create an interesting roster decision, including the possibility that Jenkins becomes one of Cincinnati's most valuable trade pieces if the Bengals decide they need offensive tackle help. Then there is Josh Newton. The 2024 draft pick started games for Cincinnati last season, but the cornerback room has improved around him. DJ Ivey, Jalen Davis and Cam Taylor-Britt have created a difficult path for Newton to make the roster. Could Newton return on the practice squad? Or has his time in Cincinnati come to an end? John also breaks down the possibility of a surprise at tight end, where Cincinnati may have to choose between carrying four players or keeping Jack Endries and potentially moving on from Tanner Hudson. The Bengals roster is mostly set. But final cuts are never easy. Several players who have contributed for Cincinnati over the last few years are fighting for one more opportunity, and Friday night's preseason finale against Philadelphia could determine their futures. Subscribe to A to Z Sports Cincinnati for Bengals news, roster projections, final cuts coverage and everything you need heading into the 2026 NFL season. 0:00 Bengals final preseason game stakes 0:48 Final roster cuts are coming 1:55 Players fighting for their Bengals futures 2:30 Charlie Jones vs Dohnte Meyers vs Keyshawn Williams 4:10 Mitchell Tinsley is suddenly on the bubble 5:15 McKinnley Jackson's roster chances 6:45 Kris Jenkins Jr. vs Landon Robinson 7:40 Josh Newton could be on the outside 8:50 Surprise tight end and safety decisions 10:00 Bengals final 53-man roster preview #Bengals #CincinnatiBengals #WhoDey #NFL Play A to Z Sports Daily Games: For more Bengals coverage: Facebook: Twitter/X: Instagram: TikTok: #CincinnatiBengals #Bengals #BengalsFootball #WhoDey #NFL #NFLFootball

The Cincinnati Bengals offensive line has carried a reputation for years but John Sheeran believes that reputation no longer matches reality. For the better part of a decade, the Bengals offensive line has been one of the biggest criticisms surrounding the franchise. From the final years of the Andy Dalton era to Joe Burrow's early seasons in Cincinnati, the offensive line has consistently been blamed for putting the team's quarterbacks in difficult situations. But is that still true? John breaks down why the Bengals offensive line narrative needs to change entering the 2026 NFL season. The biggest reason for the criticism is obvious: Joe Burrow's injuries. When a franchise quarterback gets hurt, questions about offensive line play naturally follow. And because Burrow suffered a significant knee injury as a rookie behind a poor offensive line, that concern has followed Cincinnati throughout his career. But John explains why the evidence from the end of last season tells a different story. During the final stretch of the 2025 season, the Bengals offensive line developed into one of the strongest units in the NFL. The group gained continuity, Dalton Risner settled in at right guard, Dillon Fairchild improved with experience, and the entire starting five played its best football together. Now, all five starters from that stretch are returning. That includes Amarius Mims, who John believes has the potential to become one of the best pass-blocking tackles in football after taking a major step forward following his first-round selection in 2024. The Bengals offensive line is not perfect. There are still questions about veteran players maintaining their level of play, continued development from younger players and the overall depth behind the starting tackles. But John argues those questions are very different from saying the offensive line is a major weakness capable of ruining Cincinnati's season. The Bengals have invested heavily in changing how they build the offensive line. They have drafted players with the traits they value, added veterans who fit their system and found what John believes is the right offensive line coach in Scott Peters. The result? A unit that finally appears to be built the right way. So why does the negative perception continue? Because the Bengals offensive line was bad for so long that the national narrative has not caught up yet. John Sheeran explains why the Bengals offensive line is no longer the problem many people believe it is and why the 2026 season could finally force that outdated perception to change. Subscribe to A to Z Sports Cincinnati for Bengals news, analysis, roster updates and everything you need throughout the 2026 NFL season. 0:00 The Bengals still have an offensive line PR problem 0:58 Why the narrative hasn't changed 2:00 Is the offensive line actually a weakness? 3:15 The biggest difference from last season 4:25 Amarius Mims changes everything 5:15 All five starters are back 6:05 Why Bengals fans still don't trust the OL 7:20 Cincinnati finally changed its approach 8:15 The Scott Peters impact 8:55 The narrative needs to die #Bengals #CincinnatiBengals #WhoDey #NFL Play A to Z Sports Daily Games: For more Bengals coverage: Facebook: Twitter/X: Instagram: TikTok: #CincinnatiBengals #Bengals #BengalsFootball #WhoDey #NFL #NFLFootball

The Cincinnati Bengals could be approaching the perfect opportunity to make a trade before final roster cuts and John Sheeran has identified three players Cincinnati could potentially use to finally solve its biggest remaining roster problem. The Bengals still don't have a clear answer at backup offensive tackle. With final cuts approaching and teams across the NFL making difficult roster decisions, Cincinnati could look to capitalize on its depth at other positions to acquire a reliable swing tackle behind Orlando Brown Jr. and Amarius Mims. John breaks down why Mitchell Tinsley, T.J. Slaton and Kris Jenkins Jr. make the most sense as potential Bengals trade chips. Tinsley enters the conversation because of Cincinnati's depth at wide receiver. The Bengals appear to have a strong group behind Ja'Marr Chase, Tee Higgins and Andrei Iosivas, with Colbie Young and Dohnte Meyers both making compelling cases for roster spots. Meyers also provides value in the return game, while Young is a recent draft pick with multiple years remaining on his rookie contract. That could make Tinsley the most expendable receiver in a position group where Cincinnati has enough depth to potentially make a deal. T.J. Slaton presents a different possibility. Slaton gives the Bengals valuable depth at defensive tackle and is a better option than Cincinnati's alternatives behind Dexter Lawrence II. But if another NFL team needs a quality rotational nose tackle and can offer Cincinnati a reliable backup offensive tackle in return, John explains why a player-for-player trade could make sense for both sides. Then there's Kris Jenkins Jr. Jenkins has been discussed as a possible Bengals trade piece before, but the emergence of rookie Landon Robinson changes the equation. Cincinnati already has Jonathan Allen, Dexter Lawrence II, B.J. Hill and T.J. Slaton occupying significant roles along the defensive line. Robinson has also impressed throughout training camp and the preseason as a developmental interior pass rusher. Could that depth make Jenkins expendable? John explains why Jenkins may be Cincinnati's most logical player-for-player trade asset if the Bengals decide they need to aggressively pursue offensive tackle help. Cincinnati doesn't necessarily have to trade a player, either. Recent Bengals trades have expanded the possibilities, and John discusses why a late-round draft pick or pick swap could also be enough to acquire a quality swing tackle from a team with unusual offensive line depth. Until then, the Bengals will continue evaluating Jalen Rivers and Javon Foster. Foster is receiving work at left tackle while Rivers is working at right tackle ahead of Cincinnati's preseason finale against the Philadelphia Eagles. A strong performance from either player could give the Bengals enough confidence to enter the regular season with an internal option as OT3. But if that doesn't happen, Cincinnati has options. The Bengals have made late-August roster trades before. They have depth at positions other teams could covet. And they still have an obvious need at offensive tackle. Could another Bengals trade be coming before Week 1? John Sheeran breaks down the three players Cincinnati could potentially move and why this may be the perfect time to make a deal. Subscribe to A to Z Sports Cincinnati for Bengals news, analysis, trade coverage, final roster projections and everything you need throughout the 2026 NFL season. 0:00 Could the Bengals make a trade? 0:47 Cincinnati's history of late roster trades 1:50 Why a player-for-player trade makes sense 2:08 Three Bengals who could be moved 2:18 Mitchell Tinsley 3:08 Why Cincinnati could afford to trade Tinsley 4:17 T.J. Slaton 5:01 Could Slaton land a backup tackle? 5:44 Kris Jenkins Jr. 6:18 Why Landon Robinson changes everything 7:20 Jenkins becomes a logical trade chip 7:46 Bengals could trade a draft pick instead 8:18 Why Cincinnati should capitalize on its depth 8:44 Jalen Rivers vs. Javon Foster 9:03 One final chance to solve the problem internally #Bengals #CincinnatiBengals #WhoDey #NFL Play A to Z Sports Daily Games: For more Bengals coverage: Facebook: Twitter/X: Instagram: TikTok: #CincinnatiBengals #Bengals #BengalsFootball #WhoDey #NFL #NFLFootball

The Cincinnati Bengals have reached the final week of the 2026 NFL preseason, and some incredibly difficult roster decisions are coming before Cincinnati establishes its initial 53-man roster. John Sheeran breaks down the biggest Bengals roster questions entering the preseason finale against the Philadelphia Eagles, including the futures of Jack Endries, Landon Robinson, Jalen Rivers and several players fighting to survive final cuts. One of Cincinnati's most fascinating decisions comes at tight end. The Bengals already have Drew Sample, Mike Gesicki, Erick All Jr. and Tanner Hudson positioned to make the roster. But rookie Jack Endries has shown enough throughout the preseason that Cincinnati could face a major risk by exposing him to waivers. John explains why Endries' combination of youth, receiving upside and development as an inline blocker makes him a player the Bengals should want to keep in the organization long term even if carrying five tight ends creates difficult roster math elsewhere. Then there's the biggest concern on Cincinnati's roster: backup offensive tackle. Cody Ford has been released after entering training camp as one of the primary candidates for the swing-tackle role. Jalen Rivers received an opportunity to take control of the job but struggled against the Chicago Bears, leaving Cincinnati with Rivers, Javon Foster and Andrew Coker among its remaining internal options. John explains why he has very little confidence in the current competition and why the eventual answer at swing tackle may not currently be on the Bengals roster. Could Cincinnati make a trade after final cuts? The Bengals have historically shown a willingness to make player-for-player deals when they can use surplus depth at one position to solve a problem elsewhere. John breaks down which position groups could potentially give Cincinnati that flexibility this year. That brings us to the defensive line. Landon Robinson continues to make an extremely strong case for a roster spot. The rookie has produced six pressures and two sacks across roughly 67 preseason pass-rushing snaps, and John believes exposing a promising young interior pass rusher to waivers would be far too risky. But Cincinnati already has considerable defensive-line depth with players including Dexter Lawrence II, Jonathan Allen, B.J. Hill, T.J. Slaton, Kris Jenkins Jr. and McKinnley Jackson. Can the Bengals afford to keep everyone? Could someone become a trade chip? And how much should Cincinnati's defensive scheme influence the number of defensive linemen it keeps? John also discusses why Dohnte Meyers appears to have already secured his roster spot, where Mitchell Tinsley stands in the receiver room and which other roster battles still matter entering Friday night's preseason finale. The Bengals don't have many jobs left completely up for grabs. That makes the few remaining decisions even more important. Subscribe to A to Z Sports Cincinnati for Bengals news, analysis, final roster projections and coverage throughout the 2026 NFL season. 0:00 It's now or never for Bengals roster hopefuls 0:43 Final 53-man roster preview 1:21 Who actually still needs to win a job? 2:23 Bengals face a difficult tight end decision 3:00 Why Jack Endries is worth protecting 4:09 Tanner Hudson isn't going anywhere 4:40 The risk of cutting Endries 5:35 Bengals still have a major OL problem 5:58 Cody Ford is out 6:14 Jalen Rivers hasn't won the job 6:32 Is Cincinnati's swing tackle even on the roster? 7:18 Bengals young interior linemen impress 7:51 Could the Bengals trade for a tackle? 8:48 Defensive line creates another numbers problem 9:06 Landon Robinson has earned a roster spot 10:13 Could a Bengals defensive lineman get traded? 11:16 Where the Bengals roster stands before final cuts #Bengals #CincinnatiBengals #WhoDey #NFL John's setup makes the stakes clear: with starters sitting against Philadelphia, the finale becomes an extended audition for players still fighting for the final handful of roster spots. Play A to Z Sports Daily Games: For more Bengals coverage: Facebook: Twitter/X: Instagram: TikTok: #CincinnatiBengals #Bengals #BengalsFootball #WhoDey #NFL #NFLFootball

The Cincinnati Bengals defense just delivered its biggest statement of the 2026 preseason. After spending much of training camp making life difficult for Joe Burrow and Cincinnati's offense, the Bengals finally had an opportunity to test their rebuilt defense against another team's starters during Thursday's joint practice with Caleb Williams and the Chicago Bears. The results were extremely encouraging. John Sheeran breaks down everything that stood out from Bengals-Bears joint practice, beginning with a Cincinnati defensive front that consistently created problems for Chicago's offense. Myles Murphy had one of his most impressive practices of the summer, generating pressure and multiple would-be sacks against Caleb Williams. The former first-round pick has continued to develop throughout Bengals training camp, and Thursday gave Cincinnati an opportunity to see that progress translate against another NFL offensive line. Cashius Howell also continued what has quickly become one of the most important developments of Bengals training camp. With Shemar Stewart sidelined, Howell has received additional opportunities and continues to take advantage of them. After an impressive preseason debut against Detroit, Howell consistently found his way into Chicago's backfield alongside Murphy. John explains why Cincinnati desperately needs Howell to become a reliable rotational pass rusher behind Murphy and Boye Mafe and why the 23-year-old may be emerging at exactly the right time. Then there's Dexter Lawrence II. Lawrence has spent training camp creating havoc against Cincinnati's offensive line, but Thursday provided a much more meaningful test. He didn't disappoint. The Bengals' star defensive tackle consistently disrupted Chicago's interior offensive line and delivered one of the biggest plays of the practice by getting into Caleb Williams' passing lane, tipping a pass into the air and coming down with the interception himself. John explains why that play represents exactly what Cincinnati has been missing defensively and why Lawrence could completely transform the Bengals defense in 2026. There was plenty to like offensively as well. Tee Higgins reportedly delivered a dominant practice against Chicago's secondary, demonstrating once again how difficult Cincinnati's passing attack becomes when defenses devote extra attention to Ja'Marr Chase. But the biggest story remains Cincinnati's defense. Joe Burrow has preached urgency throughout the offseason. Thursday represented the final opportunity for many Bengals starters to compete against another team before the regular season, and Cincinnati's defensive front responded with one of its most encouraging performances of the summer. Was this the moment the Bengals defense proved the training camp hype might actually be real? John Sheeran breaks it all down. 0:00 Bengals starters face their final major test 1:57 Joe Burrow's urgency is on full display 2:34 Bengals rally around Joe Burrow 3:15 Tee Higgins dominates Bears secondary 4:31 Bengals defense takes over 4:56 Myles Murphy makes a statement 5:35 Cashius Howell keeps emerging 6:28 Why Howell could be crucial 6:56 Dexter Lawrence takes over 7:35 Lawrence makes the play of the day 8:40 The Bengals got exactly what they needed #Bengals #CincinnatiBengals #WhoDey #NFL Play A to Z Sports Daily Games: For more Bengals coverage: Facebook: Twitter/X: Instagram: TikTok: #CincinnatiBengals #Bengals #BengalsFootball #WhoDey #NFL #NFLFootball

The Cincinnati Bengals just made a surprising change to their offensive line, and what they're doing with Jalen Rivers could reveal a much bigger concern about the team's depth behind starting left tackle Orlando Brown Jr. John Sheeran breaks down why Rivers has suddenly returned to left tackle after spending much of the offseason and training camp working inside at guard and what the move says about Cincinnati's options behind its starting offensive line. The Bengals entered the 2026 offseason with Cody Ford as their most experienced backup offensive tackle. Cincinnati didn't make a major free-agent addition at the position, and while rookie Brian Parker II played tackle at Duke, the Bengals have primarily developed him along the interior. Then Cincinnati played its first preseason game. Since the Bengals' preseason opener against the Detroit Lions, Rivers has been taking second-team reps at left tackle while Ford has shifted back inside. That's notable because Rivers appeared to have settled into an interior role after struggling at tackle early in his NFL development. John explains why the Bengals' actions now matter much more than what they said months ago. Rivers entered the NFL with experience at both tackle and guard from his college career at Miami. Cincinnati initially tried him on the edge before moving him inside, where he eventually received regular-season opportunities at guard. Now the Bengals are revisiting the possibility that Rivers can provide the swing-tackle depth they still need behind Orlando Brown Jr. and Amarius Mims. Could a year of NFL experience make the difference? That's one of the biggest questions Cincinnati needs answered during Thursday's joint practice against the Chicago Bears. Brown also enters the practice with something to prove after a difficult showing in limited action against Detroit. John explains why matchups against Chicago's edge defenders should provide a valuable test for both Cincinnati's starting left tackle and the players competing behind him. The larger concern is roster construction. If the Bengals aren't comfortable with Ford as their primary backup tackle and Rivers ultimately proves better suited to guard, Cincinnati doesn't have an obvious answer waiting behind its starters. And finding a quality offensive tackle after final roster cuts isn't easy. That's why Rivers' move back to tackle matters so much. John Sheeran breaks down what changed, why the Bengals are giving Rivers another opportunity on the edge, what it means for Cody Ford and why Thursday's Bengals-Bears joint practice could provide Cincinnati with much-needed clarity. Subscribe to A to Z Sports Cincinnati for Bengals news, analysis, training camp coverage, roster breakdowns and reaction throughout the 2026 NFL season. 0:00 Bengals prepare for a huge joint practice 1:25 Why Thursday matters so much 1:52 Orlando Brown Jr. has something to prove 3:27 Is Brown the offensive line's weak link? 4:03 Bengals have a backup tackle problem 4:49 Jalen Rivers makes a surprising move 5:10 Why the Bengals changed their plan 6:19 What happened to Cody Ford? 6:56 The move reveals a bigger Bengals problem 7:55 Can Rivers actually play tackle? 8:50 Rivers may be Cincinnati's best option #Bengals #CincinnatiBengals #WhoDey #NFL Play A to Z Sports Daily Games: For more Bengals coverage: Facebook: Twitter/X: Instagram: TikTok: #CincinnatiBengals #Bengals #BengalsFootball #WhoDey #NFL #NFLFootball