Cincinnati, your Bengals are getting ready to make some moves
From Clifton to Paycor — Who Dey, it's Sunday. And this week, the air around Paycor Stadium, especially down here on The Banks where the Ohio River always seems to hum with anticipation, feels a little different. The Cincinnati Bengals are coming off a 6-11 season, and I know that record still stings, especially after the heights we saw them reach just a couple of years ago. The narrative right now, if you're grabbing a three-way at Skyline, is all about *what next*? Are we rebuilding or reloading? The signings of Kyle Dugger and Ja'Sir Taylor to one-year deals feel like smart, low-risk moves. They're not the splashy headlines you see coming out of Kansas City or Las Vegas, but they are absolutely critical for adding depth and competition to the secondary, which honestly, needed it. It's about shoring up those foundational pieces without committing long-term cash, leaving flexibility for bigger plays.
The one thing I think Cincinnati Bengals fans aren't paying enough attention to is the quiet confidence permeating this locker room. We've been through so many seasons where 6-11 felt like the *peak*, right? But this team, even with that record, knows they're better than that. It’s not arrogance; it’s a deep-seated belief in the talent they *do* have, especially with a healthy Joe Burrow. This isn't a team that's panicking. They're methodically addressing needs. Looking ahead, what's coming is the draft, and it's not just about who they pick in the first round. Keep an eye on those mid-round selections. That's where you find the depth pieces, the special teams aces, the guys who become core contributors without all the fanfare. That’s how you truly build out a roster for sustained success, not just a one-off run.
* **Kyle Dugger**: A versatile safety who brings a physical presence and good coverage skills. Could be a real steal on a one-year deal. * **Ja'Sir Taylor**: Adds much-needed competition at cornerback. He's got speed and can contribute on special teams. * **Draft Depth**: Don't just focus on the top picks. The Cincinnati Bengals need to hit on their mid-rounders to build out the roster.
This isn't the flashy rebuild, but it’s a smart, strategic approach for the Cincinnati Bengals to get back to where they belong.
Paige Hoffmann-Rivera, MiTL Sports Desk, Cincinnati.
You know, Dan and the whole morning crew really dig into these moves every single day — catch all their takes live at mornings.live.