The Bengals have some very good problems to solve before final cuts

For years, one of the biggest questions surrounding the Cincinnati Bengals has been whether the team has enough depth behind its established stars.

That question feels a lot different heading into 2026.

Advertisement

After finishing the preseason with a perfect 3-0 record, capped by Friday night’s convincing 30-13 victory over the Philadelphia Eagles, the Bengals have something that NFL teams generally don’t complain about: too many players making legitimate cases for roster spots.

That’s not to say Cincinnati’s roster is perfect. There are still questions to answer before the 53-man roster is finalized, and some players who have performed well this summer are inevitably going to wind up on the outside looking in.

But that’s precisely what makes this year’s preseason so encouraging.

As we discussed on the Orange & Black Insider, several of Cincinnati’s most difficult roster decisions aren’t necessarily the result of a lack of talent. They’re the result of the Bengals having more viable options than available spots.

Advertisement

And the preseason finale against Philadelphia only reinforced that point.

The defensive line might be the biggest “good problem”

It’s difficult to find a position group that has changed more dramatically than Cincinnati’s defensive line.

The Bengals entered the offseason needing to improve their interior pass rush and overall defensive-front depth. They responded by adding significant veteran talent, including Dexter Lawrence, while continuing to develop younger players such as Kris Jenkins, McKinnley Jackson, and others.

Then came the emergence of players such as Landon Robinson.

Advertisement

Suddenly, Cincinnati has a defensive line where some talented players could find themselves fighting simply to make the roster. The preseason finale offered another glimpse of that depth.

Isaiah Foskey and Antwaun Powell-Ryland combined for a sack on Philadelphia’s opening possession, with Powell-Ryland getting credit for the sack after the play. The Bengals’ defense consistently disrupted the Eagles early, holding Philadelphia without a touchdown until well into the second half.

Foskey, in particular, has…

Source link : https://sports.yahoo.com/articles/bengals-very-good-problems-solve-040407585.html

Author :

Publish date : 2026-08-29 04:04:00

Copyright for syndicated content belongs to the linked Source.