• The Bengals found immense value in this class, even without a top-10 pick.
• Late on Day 3 is where the Bengals really shined in the Draft.
• Which UDFAs may impress?
• Myles Murphy was not extended a fifth-year option.
• How do we feel about the Bengals' roster after this big offseason?
• And more!

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• What does Cashius Howell bring to the Bengals?
• Al Golden’s stamp on the Bengals’ defense
• What is the immediate impact of Tacario Davis?
• And more

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• The Bengals conducted a trade that was totally out of the norm for the team's M.O.
• Dexter Lawrence signed a surprising extension with the Bengals, keeping him in Cincinnati through 2028.
• Was there a winner in this trade?
• What does this mean for the Bengals' draft plans this weekend?
• And more!

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The ball-knowers have kept their lists secret, even from each other. Now, live on the air they will reveal their independent top 10 lists. Then they will put their big brains together and hash it out until they come up with one definitive list. The official Matt and Willie Big Board will come together right in front of your ears.

There will be discussion over some of the top dawgs, unlikely to make it out of the first hour.

Of course, a plethora of Ohio State Buckeyes will be discussed, mostly if not all on the defensive side of the ball, but you never know who could slide into the conversation. Could their be a surprise Buckeye?

They will top about popular picks like Rueben Bain, Caleb Downs, and Sonny Styles. Of course, top cornerbacks Jermod McCoy and Mansoor Delane will be brought up as well.

There may also be so surprises.

Where do we think the Bengals will rank linebacker Sonny Styles? What about his teammate Caleb Downs?

Will they look to fill a need or take the best available player?

Does Jermod McCoy's knee worry them?

Is Rueben Bain's past concerning? What about his arm length or Spencer Fano's for that matter?

Is Jeremiyah Love a real option? Are any offensive players?

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-We engage in our second mock draft.

-We profile one of the best cornerbacks in the 2026 Draft Class.

-A look at recent visits and reading the tea leaves.

-And more!

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• The Bengals greatly bolstered their quarterback situation recently.
• Dugger and Taylor will provide a lot of defensive and special teams assistance.
• What do multiple defensive back signings in free agency mean for the Bengals’ draft plans?
• What is the state of the Bengals’ roster in the wake of their free agency signings?
• Zac Taylor’s comments at the recent owner’s meetings.
• And more!

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The Bengals may not have checked every box in free agency, but they checked enough boxes to give them the flexibility to draft the best available player with the 10th overall pick, rather than trying to fill a need.

So who will it be?

Could it be Sonny Styles?

A moment ago, you were probably curing me saying that they haven't done enough in free agency and the word "Linebacker" surely came into your mind. Well, Zac Taylor repeated at the NFL owners meeting coaches' breakfast what he and Al Golden have said countless times before. Demetrius Knight and Barrett Carter were in a tough situation as a starting tandem of linebackers and they kept getting better.

You can believe that or not, but whether or not it is true, I Zac Taylor thinks it's true, and that is all that really matters. It wasn't coach speak. They genuinely think those guys can get it done.

This is backed up by their approach to free agency. They spent big on a safety and an edge, then added an interior pass rusher. There may have been some interest in adding a linebacker, but we know they were never in on the top of the market guys. The weren't going to put Bryan Cook or Boye Mafe money into a linebacker. Why? Because they like the guys they have.

So why Sonny Styles? Because he is a dude, that's why.

Of course, it has felt all along like it will be a cornerback. Mansoor Delane and Jermod McCoy each put up crazy performances at their respective pro days.

Matt and Willie talk about this duo and which one of them in the best fit in Cincinnati.

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• Some final thoughts on Trey Hendrickson and how the Ravens handled that situation.
• Any truth to the Maxx Crosby trade rumors linking the Bengals?
• How do we feel about the Allen signing and Brown’s extension?
• What may be next for the team in free agency
• A little bit about draft buzz with workouts underway.

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But I digress.

The team made two pick signings.

They signed Bryan Cook who was widely seen as the top safety in free agency. Finally, they did something to solidify that position in a meaningful way. The former Cincinnati Bearcat comes home. Tears in his eyes, I suppose. This was a great move for the Bengals, but it was not enough.

Should we do one more? Let's do one more. Okay, one more it is.

People have asked, "Who is this year's Trey Hendrikson." Well, it might just be Boye Mafe. They gave the young edge rusher a huge contract betting more on his future than his past. Like Hendrickson he might be right on the fringe of his breakout

The excitement from these moves slowly decreased then to turned largely into rage as we got into Wednesday night and there was still no third move.

It's coming. I'm telling you, it's coming. They have the money.

The Bengals were also involved in the John Franklin-Myers sweepstake, but despite an initial report from a phony Twitter account, Ed McMahon did not come knocking on their door.

Logan Hall was the other name to consider in this unimpressive lineup of interior rushers, but he went to Houston on the cheap, so it appears the Bengals were not in on that deal. Which is wired because it would have made a lot of sense. I am not totally confident in Hall, but he has the versatility to play the run on the edge, which would at least give them some value if he didn't pan out as an interior rusher.

Speaking of making sense, let's talk Leo Chenel. He would have made a lot of sense for this defense. He is a linebacker who has some crazy athletic traits, is young, and has that oh so important ability to line up on the edge. He would have been an excellent complement to Barrett Carter and Demetrius Knight, but alas, it was not meant to be. He wound up in Washington on a very reasonable deal.

There was lots of talk from the fan base about Devin Lloyd, but apparently they were never involved even though everybody and their brother has been reporting that they have been interested in him. Perhaps it is Ezekiel Elliott all over again.

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-The Bengals brought Bryan Cook back home to Cincinnati and he fills a major defensive need.

-Cincinnati also agreed to terms to defensive lineman Boye Mafe from the Seahawks.

-Which players may be next on the docket for them?

-A few former Bengals signed elsewhere on Monday, as well.

-And more!

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• At last, some finality with the Trey Hendrickson situation.
• Dalton Risner is back with the Bengals and it's an early, positive key to the team's free agency period.
• What are the biggest needs for the Bengals heading into free agency at the draft?
• Who are the players we'd most want in free agency at defensive line, linebacker and safety?
• Our Pre-Combine Three-Round mock draft!
• And more!

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-Dissecting the recent quotes from Duke Tobin, Zac Taylor, Al Golden and Dan Pitcher.

-Who are the known prospects with whom the Bengals have had visits thus far?

-What's the latest Combine buzz around certain players?

-Sonny Styles is a dynamic linebacker and could be in play for Cincinnati at No. 10.

-And more!

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• More updates on Trey Hendrickson.
• The Bengals re-signed some key young depth pieces ahead of free agency.
• Some thoughts from NFL Network's Daniel Jeremiah and his media conference call.
• Might an intriguing slot receiver be in play for the Bengals at No. 41 overall?
• A versatile, but older defensive lineman could provide help along Cincinnati's defensive line.
• And more!

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Tagging a player does not mean you are on the hook for that money. Quite the contrary. You can rescind the tag at any time before it is signed, and Hendrickson will be in no hurry to sign it. He wants out. He wants more than a one-year deal. Hendrickson has no intention of playing another down for the Bengals, but they should not let him walk out the door for nothing.

Yes, he is in his 30s. Yes, he is coming off an injury. Yes, whoever acquires him is going to have to pay him a hefty fee. It doesn't matter. He is still the top free agent. He is still a year removed from leading the league in sacks. He is still a guy who had 35 sacks in two years. No, they aren't going to get what the Dallas Cowboys got for Micah Parsons. Parsons is 6 years younger and wasn't coming off a season ending injury. They can however get something.

It starts with a third. That should be the asking price, a third round pick in 2026. If a few teams are interested in him for that, maybe it becomes a little more. Maybe a day three pick or a player is added. Maybe the third even becomes a second. Or maybe it goes the other way and you only get a fifth round pick. Who cares? It is something!

The idea that it could be Kenny Clark occurred to me until I saw his contract. If I have a choice between Trey for $30 million or Clark for $20 million, the Treys have it. But maybe the next unappreciated B.J. Hill type is out there somewhere waiting for his moment to shine. Like a peacock, you gotta let him fly.

We also talk about the Jalen Davis extension. Not only is it crat news, it was the next thing that needed to happen before we get to Dalton Risner.

Both Davis and Risner stepped in and solidified the team this season. They should both be very reasonably priced compared to what their contribution to the team is. These are guys you've got to sign. There is no reason to create a need on your roster.

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• The Trey Hendrickson saga continues...
• It's obvious that the Bengals defense needs help--what's the best avenue?
• A former Chiefs linebacker could bring a versatile skill set to greatly aid the Bengals.
• Peter Woods is a polarizing, but talented interior defensive lineman in this year's draft.
• And more!

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I (Matt) like Caleb Downs but find the prospect of drafting him at 10 rather uninspiring.

I feel like I'm going out on a limb saying this. The consensus appears to be very high on Downs. There is, of course, the fact that he is a safety and safeties rarely go on the top 10. Honestly. I don't really care about that. It's not about position value. It is the lack of special traits. Downs is a good player who I would love to have on the Bengals defense, but I don't know if there is anything about him that is special.

I know. You hate me, right? Not only is it a controversial take, but about a Buckeye no less. For shame.

Can Willie talk him out of it?

He's pretty high on Downs. Not only that, he's a true Ohio State guy. Surely Willie can talk some sense into me. Right?

There is only one way to find out. Tune in to hear why I haven't bought in on Downs and see if Willie can bring me back into the light.

Then we randomly veered off into a long conversation about pass rushers and money ball. What do the Bengals need to do to fix their pass rush?

Is it on the inside? Is it on the outside? Is it in house? Is it in free agency? Is it in the draft? Maybe it's Maxx Crosby. Maybe it's Jeffery Simmons. Sorry, it's not Trey Hendrickson at this point.

Matt and Willie discuss how to replace Giambi, I mean Henderickson.

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The Bengals need help. We all know that it’s true. The good news is that they have money to spend and draft picks to select. So who should be the targets?

Defense is the obvious need, which is a pretty broad statement and yet quite true. The defense was so bad in 2024, that it got Lou Anarumo fired and it was arguably worse in 2025. That puts Al Golden in a very awkward position and he looks to lead his unit on a massive turnaround next season. 

Whether it was the volume knob or the AM/PM, last year, the Bengals  slept through most of free agency. In de facto general manager Duke Tobin historic post season press conference he proclaimed his affection for pass rushers and his deep desire to address that dire need, But to equate head coach Zac Taylor “I hear better than I see.” Will Duke put his money where his mouth is, or the Brown family’s money where his mouth is to be more accurate?

He had better. 

Matt and Willie each share one of their favorite Bengals targets in both free agency and the draft. Not surprisingly, all four players are on defense.

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• Chase Brown talks about the Offensive Line improvement last year.
• Tee Higgins and Chase Brown talk about the Bengals' mindset heading into 2026.
• the duo gives their thoughts about Dan Pitcher's abilities as an OC.
• And much more!

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As I examined the rest of the Bengals schedule after their most recent loss, I realized that they might now win another game. 

There are the Dolphins, who they have a history of blowing it against, the Cardinals, who have tight end Trey McBride who is likely to put up insane numbers against these safeties.and the Browns, who just seem to have the Bengals number inexplicably. 

Honestly, then I listened to some other podcasts and heard what the downers have to say and said to myself “snap out of it! Stop being such a quitter and figure out how they can get better.” So that is where I am at now. 

The next few weeks will be rough, but I see progress.

Zac Taylor will be the coach next year. Al Golden will be the defensive coordinator. Duke Tobin will be the general manager. We are fooling ourselves if we say any different. 

Some of us love to claim that Taylor has lost the locker room every time they lose a game, but it isn’t true. They love him. 

Golden’s development of players has been slower than we would have wanted, but guys are starting to come along. Lou Anarumo’s defense wasn’t any good when he didn’t have the dudes either. 

Duke is Duke. We don’t need to rehash it. He has had some success in the draft, but the big difference from other teams is that when the Bengals flub up the draft, they don’t buy their way out with free agents. They are disciplined to a fault. That’s not Duke. That’s ownership. They are who they are too.

On this week’s episode of Matt and Willie Know Ball, Willie and I reexamine the life choices that led tom us hosting a Bengals podcast, then we say FIDO and get back to work.

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Matt and Willie are thankful for a defense that is finally showing life. In this episode of Matt and Willie Know Ball, the ball-knowers tackle the defense. 

Are the linebacker deep-fried turkey or a delicious turducken of talent with all the fixins? Just like when the parade is ending and pregame has begun, things seem to be trending in the right direction.

Barrett Carter shook off his missed-tackle woes and had 16 total tackles this week. Carter has been calling the defensive shots and taking every single defensive snap since usurping Logan Wilson. Not unlike cranberry sauce in the shape of a can, he may be criminally underrated for what he has done as a rookie and the career trajectory he is currently projecting.

Like a forgotten side dish, it’s better late than never for Myles Murphy. Over the last two weeks he has really flashed. With both Trey Hendrickson and Shemar Stewart out, Murphy has seen a lot more action. He has taken advantage of this, looking good against both the run and the pass and producing a sack. I’ll take seconds of that.

McKinnley Jackson has finally been promoted from the kiddie table and is making me wonder why he spent so much time on the inactive list. You can pass the masked potatoes, but you aren’t getting anything past Jackson in the run game. He anchors down like Uncle Ricky on the lazy boy and he isn’t going anywhere.

Deep in the back of the refrigerator, the Bengals found some leftovers that still have some flavor. No, not the scalloped potatoes, Jalen Davis. Moving Davis up from the practice squad and rounded out the Bengals secondary menu very nicely. He played a large role and for the defense last week and showed no signs of spoilage.

Tryptophan aside, people are sleeping on this Bengals run game. Chase Brown and more importantly this offensive line have really caught their stride. New offensive line coach Scott Peters is looking like a great hire. 

Now can they keep it up as Joe Burrow looks to make his return on Thursday night?

Burrow will have his work cut out for him if he hopes to get the Bengals season back on track. Black Friday may be coming up, but the Bengals win/loss record is so deep into the red, that it will take them until New Years to get them out. 

Oh well, the Rose Bowl is a better parade anyway.

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• Joe Burrow was a full participant at practice this week. Is he going to play sooner than expected?
• What are the expectations for Burrow and the Bengals upon his return at 3-7?
• What's the impetus behind Burrow's rushed return?
• The Bengals are in the headlines in the worst way after their loss to the Steelers.
• What challenges do the Patriots provide this Sunday?
• And more!

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Joe Burrow was a full participant at practice this week, which as we all know in light of the Lamar Jackson saga means he is not just practice but taking starter reps.

With Joe, anything is possible. It is not likely, but all of the sudden running the table doesn't seem crazy. Infeasible, sure, but not crazy. Of course, the Bengals will be without Ja'Marr Chase, who gave Jalen Ramsey a Romanowski hello last weekend. Still, where there is Joe Burrow, there is hope.

But does it even matter?

This defense isn't getting any better.

Al Golden told us after Week 1 that he didn't want to play Trey Hendrickson that much because it wasn't good for him, but that they had to in order to win. He nailed that take and he hasn't made a good call since (bada tish!). Seriously, Hendrickson was overworked and now he's hurt. The defense without him is... I don't even have a word. Whatever the opposite of "scrumtrulescent*" is.

The rookies who needed to step up defensively, have stepped left and right and do-si-doed, but definitely not stepped up. In fact, as the weeks go on and on, this unit is looking more and more like a complete overhaul.

Yeah, the defense is bad, so let's all just sit in the corner rocking back and former muttering to ourselves "Joe is coming, Joe is coming," like Bart Simpson at Kamp Krusty,

*"Scrumtrulescent" is a made-up word from an old Will Ferrell Saturday Night Live Sketch in which he played James Lipton from Inside the Actors Studio

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• Joe Burrow returned to practice as of Monday, and the team has some big decisions ahead.
• What are the pros and cons with each quarterback, given where the schedule lands and how things have looked under Joe Flacco thus far.
• Between accrued injuries, affected mechanics and previous slow starts t Bengals seasons, what should we expect from a Burrow-led offense post-Thanksgiving?
• The AFC North appears wide open, but what are the expectations for the Bengals at 3-6?
• And more!

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1. Joe Burrow returns to practice and eyes Thanksgiving return to the field.
2. What can the defense do to get good enough that number one even matters?

True, the Bengals defense may have given 88 points in the last two weeks, but if the Bengals had 17 seconds and Joesph Lee Burrow after Colson Loveland scored his go ahead touchdown for the Bears, wouldn't you have felt better about the situation? Granted, you still wouldn't have felt good, but better.

Joe Flacco has had this offense going on all cylinders. Under Joe Burrow, they really weren't. They won those first two games on the back of good defense. Does the Burrow effect extend to the defense through some kind of Tom Cruise witchcraft?

And What about Al Golden's unit? Could the defense be revamped after the bye? Could they have sat down and put together a plan to make this thing functional for the next few weeks? Can they be good enough to win?

I've got news for you. This division is still wide open. The Bengals play the Steelers, the Browns, and the Ravens twice. They are still very much in control of their own destiny.

The Steelers are in the lead, but crumbling.

The Ravens are looking better, but they have a touch road ahead. Check this. They play the Steelers twice, the Bengals twice, and the Patriots in a span of 5 weeks. That is an insane stretch.

10 games could be the division. 9 wins could even do it, if they were the right wins.

Sweep the division and you have got a shot.

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• The Bengals had one of the most improbable comebacks against the Bears, followed by an inexplicable collapse...again.
• Zac Taylor said that no coaching changes are going to transpire, even after the past two weeks and with the team heading into the bye.
• Logan Wilson was traded to the Cowboys, Trey Hendrickson stays with the Bengals, while Cincinnati doesn't make any other additions.
• And more!

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The Bengals beat the Steelers two weeks ago and everything was looking hunky-dory. Then came the New York Jets.

The Bengals had it and they lost it. There were defensive failings to be sure, but a lot of it was just losing the battle for those important inches. They should have won that game and they could have one that game with one defensive player stepping up and making a play. And yet, here we are.

With Trey Hendrickson sideline, the defense generated no pass rush and in turn the secondary struggled. The run defense saw guys out of position and massive holes opened up just like they did in August.

We were told this defense was less complicated, but is it?

Jordan Battle doesn't seem to think so.

Seriously, what is up with this defense?

Is it a coaching issue or a scouting issue?

It does make you feel differently about Lou Anarumo and even Teryl Austin. They didn't have the dudes and neither does Al Golden. Anarumo had them once, when Duke Tobin went on a hot streak drafting Germaine Pratt and Logan Wilson and signing Trey Hendrickson, D.J. Reader, and Chidobe Awuzie.

Players seem to be cutting bait and attempting to move on from this defense. That isn't really a surprise, particularly when you are talking about a benched veteran in Logan Wilson, who surely thinks that he can be a starter and young McKinnley Jackson who is eager for a shot but keeps seeing newcomers come in and surpass him on the depth chart.

Matt and Willie discuss all of this and more, including an odd concusses about Joe Pesci.

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• Cincinnati suffered its worst loss in the Zac Taylor era, and one of the biggest collapses in recent memory.
• The Bengals' defense is somehow worse than last year, with failures occurring at each level of the unit.
• Is a rebound possible?
• Will the Bengals be buyers, sellers, or holders at the trade deadline?
• The sequence of events that reportedly (or even rumored) to have unfolded Saturday-Monday surrounding the Bengals was downright staggering.
• And more!

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• Logan Wilson has formally requested a trade from the Bengals.
• When and will Wilson be dealt, and for what?
• The latest on the Cincinnati injury front.
• Even though the Bengals are just 3-4, can this game against the Jets be considered a "trap game"?
• If they want to get to .500, the Bengals can't afford to let little mistakes become problems on Sunday.
• Some thoughts on Lemar Parrish, Dave Lapham and other Ring of Honor Inductees.
• And more!

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The there is Cam Taylor-Britt. What is going on with that guy?

The former second round pick was benched a few weeks ago, then made inactive on Thursday Night Football due to a coach's decision. That's never good. Like Andre Benjamin, I'm just being honest.

No one likes getting benched. We are all prideful people, particularly professional athletes, but by all accounts, Taylor-Britt has been a professional throughout his struggles. Could he have been inactive because they were discussing a trade sending him out of Cincinnati?

There is one particularly name that would make a lot of sense for both the Bengals and this individual's current team if they wanted to swap their former highly touted players. Matt and Willie discuss this scenario and Taylor-Britt's future in Cincinnati and the league.

The Bengals are coming off of a huge win last week. What does that mean for the season. Matt and Willie discuss the road to Joe Burrow's return and what the Bengals need to do to get there in one piece. The path is narrow and unforgiving, but it is clear.

What about the Steelers though. They currently have the lead in the division, but they have a difficult run in front of them too. The haven't seen the top of the NFC North year. The Bengals may still be back a game and a half, but that gap could shrink very quickly with the opponents that Pittsburgh has in front of them.

How about the Ravens? They are way back, but are they too far back? If they can get healthy, could they make a run at the division championship.

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• Joe Flacco looked every bit the part of "Elite" on Thursday night.
• The Bengals found a running game and the offensive line has improved the past two weeks!
• Ja'Marr Chase remains the best wide receiver in the NFL, despite three starting Bengals QBs in seven games this year.
• The Bengals defense MUST improve, should the Bengals make a playoff push this year.
• And more!

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The Bengals made a big splash adding a veteran quarterback who knows the AFC North as well as anyone.

• Why did the Bengals decide to add Flacco?
• What will the offense look like with Flacco under center?
• Should this rest our expectations for this season?

The Bengals have a herculean task ahead of them as the head to Green Bay, but hey, Flacco has already beat the Packers this season. After that the Bengals have some winnable games on the horizon. They have two matchups with the Steelers coming up, which could determine their fate. (Who would have guessed that the AFC Championship would go through Pittsburg of all places?)

Then, what was once considered the most challenging part of the Bengals schedule comes as they play the Ravens twice in 18 days with the Buffalo Bills sandwiched in the middle. Oh, and by the way, the first of those matchups with Baltimore happens to be on the road on a short week. No biggy.

Well, the Ravens aren't looking so tough all of the sudden, as their injury report grows like it just made a wish on a Zoltar machine. Could Flacco take care of business against the team he took to the Super Bowl all those years ago?

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• Zac Taylor publicly backed Jake Browning this week, while the same confidence doesn't seem to be there for a former high pick at cornerback.
• Cincinnati remains relatively healthy, while the Lions are more banged up going into Week 5.
• Is this going to be a breakout game for Andrei Iosivas?
• Plainly put, Cincinnati needs to find a way to be explosive on offense this week.
• Believe it or not, the Bengals are 10.5-point underdogs at home, per FanDuel.

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• Cincinnati embarrassed themselves, this time on primetime TV, though the problems differed from last week.
• The offensive line is a mess.
• Should the Bengals consider a veteran quarterback addition?
• We can blame the roster, the coaches and others, but there remains an organizational problem.
• And more!

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The Bengals went up to Minnesota, in a battle of backup quarterbacks, trying to get a win and build confidence for the Jake Browning run.

Could things have gone better? You betcha.

The Minnesota Meltdown, as Willie has coined it, could not have been much uglier.

Carson Wentz, of North Dakota State fame, looked like villain from the Fargo franchise (most of which actually takes place in Minnesota), but it was the Vikings defense that put the Bengals in the woodchipper.

The Bengals fumbled five times, losing three of them. Browning also threw two interceptions. All of these turnovers led to points for Norway's finest, two of them immediately. In all, the Bengals gave up 31 points as a result of turnovers. They were also in field goal range on two of those occasions, meaning that they gave up at least six more points that they could have scored. All and all that is a 37 point swing from turnovers in a game they lost by 38 points.

These numbers are insane.

That was the biggest problem, but not the only problem.

The run game was, uh, did not exist.

The defense gave up touchdowns on four of five Red Zone appearances, which is less than ideal.

There were some good performances on that side of the ball, but when they needed to make a play the fumbled away their chance like... well like the Bengals offense.

The way the Bengals lost this game is unsustainable. The run game is troubling, for sure, but there is no way they continue to turn the ball over at that rate. They had some good luck in the first two weeks with turnovers, but this far surpassed regression to the mean. In fact, it gave them a soybean field's worth of room to progress back to it.

Matt and Willie are here to tell you that this team has some problems, but they are fixable and the Denver Broncos are not unbeatable.

So let's all hope the Bengals cleansed themselves in the waters of Lake Minnetonka and got the stink of this loss off them before they boarded the plane back to Cincinnati.

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-The Bengals were steamrolled in Minnesota for a historic loss.

-Are things fixable?

-Was this an outlier or a trend?

-A conversation about Zac Taylor.

And more!

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• The Bengals added a new quarterback to their roster and placed Joe Burrow on IR.
• What will the game plan be on offense now that Jake Browning is taking over?
• What does the defense need to do going forward with a backup QB at the helm?
• What are the keys to a win over the Vikings this week?

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Joe Burrow had a normal offseason. He played in the preseason. The Bengals went 2-0 for to start the season for the first time in Zac Taylor's tenure, and now "poof" Burrow goes down to injury once again.

It sucks.

I'm not a silver linings guy, not a Mr. Brightside. But I'm also not a quitter.

This season is not over. Jake Browning can chuck the ball around and win some games. Of course, it doesn't hurt that he has a vast arsenal of offensive weapons. This defense isn't bad. In fact, they might even be good.

All I'm saying is, that they could still be a good team without Burrow and if they can be a good team without him, just imagine how scary they will be when he returns.

Matt and Willie dive into the Burrow loss and what it means for the future. More pressingly, they discuss what happens next. This team isn't tanking. They are not hanging up the towel. They aren't cashing their paychecks and saying, "oh well, there is always next year."

The did not waver when Burrow hit the turf and I would not expect them to do so anytime soon.

The fun has only begun. Who Dey!

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• The perceived timeline of Joe Burrow’s return.
• Can Jake Browning get this team into the playoffs?
• What did we see in the trenches?
• The Bengals’ defense is opportunistic!

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-Sam's life post-retirement.

-His conversations with Trey Hendrickson amid his contract negotiations with the Bengals.

-His thoughts on the team's Week 1 win, and the outlook ahead in the 2025 season.

-Sam's manning of the "Royal Rig" from Crown Royal and tailgating with fans on Sunday.

And more!

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-Jaguars vs. Bengals mid-week injury reports.

-The Bengals made a flurry of moves to start off their week.

-Which players are under the microscope this week?

-Jacksonville provides a lot of problems for the Bengals' defense at their offensive skill positions--can Cincinnati's defense keep their momentum from Week 1?

And a special announcement!

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-A win is a win.

-What's with the Bengals' offensive struggles?

-An impressive and surprising performance by the Bengals' defense.

-Were you encouraged or discouraged by the Bengals' Week 1 performance?

And more!

Brought to you by FanDuel!

Also brought to you by FOCO!

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Matt and Willie are here to break down the Bengals victory in Cleveland and what to look for as the season goes on.

The won this weekend in perhaps the most unexpected way.

Joe Flacco throwing the ball all over the place, while Joe Burrow struggles. The Bengals D stifling the Browns; run game. Being on the right side of kicking woes for a change. Losing time of possession by over 10 minutes and having 22 fewer offensive snaps. The Bengals not giving up a sack for over three quarters, then suddenly giving up 3 consecutive sacks. Dogs and cats, living together. Mass hysteria.

Topics include:

Topics include:

How did the offensive line look, 3 sacks not withstanding?

How did rookie guard Dylan Fairchild hold up in his first NFL action?

The Dalton Risner era begins ahead of schedule.

Joe Burrow more fizzle than sizzle fo shizzle

Where were Ja'Marr Chase and Tee Higgins?

Okay, then where were Andrei Iosivas and Mike Gesicki?

B.J. Hill and Logan Wilson looking like their old selves

Rookie Shemar Stewart sees more action than expected

Trey Hendrickson does not miss a beat

Myles Murphy's outlook

T.J. Slaton has some juice

Kris Jenkins showing why they called him mutant in college

Demetrius Knight looking like a vet

Dax Hill's Versatility

D.J. Turner's dude-like qualities

Cam Taylor-Britt's consistent inconsistency

An unexpected Mike Hilton replacement

Jordan Battle making Nick Saban proud

That’s right, we dig deep. No stone is left unturned and unlike the Bengals defense in the preseason, no gap is unaccounted for.

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Matt and Willie have all the Bengals takes you could ever ask for, and many that you would have never asked for.

This week we talk about everything you need to know going into the Bengals opener:

• Who are this year’s captains and what does it mean?

<li>What are they going to do at right guard?</li>

<li>Why, oh why? Joseph Ossai</li>

<li>Can the Bengals run defense stop the Browns rushing attack?</li>

<li>Can the Bengals pass protection hold up?</li>

<li>What about this Noah Fant guy?</li>

<li>What will the Risner family addition mean to Cincinnati?</li>

<li>How sharp is Demetrius Knight’s learning curve?</li>

<li>What does Trey Hendrickson mean to this team and more importantly, how quickly can he get going?</li>

We also give our game predications and season-long predictions. So that will be fun. Once of us sees a lot of offense in this game and a record number of win for the season. The other one is Willie.

It is time for this team to finally get out to a fast start, but first it is time for Matt and Willie.

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• The Bengals and Trey Hendrickson have come to a cease-fire on the long-standing contractual issue between he and the club...sort of.
• What does the future hold for Hendrickson and the Bengals?
• Cincinnati made their final roster decisions--with a couple of small surprises.
• What moves might the Bengals make next?
• And more!

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The other sign that training camp has ended is the cuts.

“And then there were 53”

If you see that as an Agatha Christie reference, we can be friends. If you see that as Seinfeld reference, we can still be friends, but you really pick up a book once in a while.

The Bengals have made their cuts and are down to their “final” roster. That is of course final until waiver claims go through, which depending on when you are reading this, may have already happened. If this is the case, what is the future like?

But I digress…

The Bengals have made their initial cuts and Matt and Willie have much to discuss.

• Preseason darling Mitchell Tinsley has earned his stripes.

<li>Matt Lee has made the team! This is not a drill people!</li>

<li>What’s the deal with keeping only 8 offensive linemen?</li>

<li>How did 2 UDFA DTs make the squad?</li>

<li>Are 5 TEs enough?</li>

<li>Bengals stick with Marco Wilson and D.J. Ivey, but send</li>

<li>When did the Balyn Lux hype train derail?</li>

<li>Is PJ Jules in it for the long term?</li>

<li>Who the heck is William Wagner?</li>

All this and Andy Rooney on this week’s edition of Matt and Willie Know Ball

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-What's it like to win not only one, but three Super Bowls?

-A a pro and a father, what's it like to be NFL dynastic royatly?

What is the 2025 outlook for the 2025 Bengals and the Broncos?

-What's the NFL landscape?

And more!

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-The Bengals' first-team offense continues to churn out points in the early portion of the preseason.

-Cincinnati's defense made more plays against Washington, but first-team concerns continue.

-Will the Bengals make moves after final cuts?

-The Bengals are still trying to finalize a deal with Trey Hendrickson.

-What's to come of the reported visit with guard Dalton Risner?

And more!

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Of course, the big name that everyone is talking about is Shemar Stewart. His Dad has a Thanos chain, but the “blip” in his young career caused by his bro of an agent is now over. Stewart is here and on Thursday night he made it clear that he is ready to contribute in a big way. Matt and Willie discuss his performance and what his rookie campaign could look like. Then they talk about defensive tackle Howard Cross III who saw an unexpected amount of action. Cross’s performance on Thursday has met with mixed reviews, but he has a lot of buzz in the building.

Stepping back four yards, we come to the linebacker position where rookie Demetrius Knight made the start next to veteran Logan Wilson. Fellow rookie Barrett Carter saw significant action with the twos. Both will be expected to contribute for the Bengals defense this season. What type of first impression did they make?

Now, let’s talk about the offensive line. Rookies Dylan Fairchild and Jalen Rivers had very different nights. Fairchild seemed as snug as a glove at the left guard position, which is to say that he looked comfortable. Rivers had a bit more turbulence at tackle and appears to have flipped spots with Cody Ford in the aftermath.

Overall depth on the offensive line is full of questions.

Questions like:

• Whatever happened to Matt Lee?

<li>What the heck are they doing with Cordell Volson?</li>

<li>How confident are they in Devin Cochran?</li>

<li>Will Jaxon Kirkland keep on keeping on?</li>

<li>Will Seth McLaughlin get a shot to play?</li>

Anyway, y’all should listen, like, subscribe, and tell your friends.

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Matt and Willie have their instant reaction to the Bengals first preseason game.

Who looked good?

Who is not going to have a fun film session tomorrow?

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Matt and Willie discuss the impeding return of Trey Hendrickson. What does it mean? Are we getting close deal? Is this just a power play?

Then they talk about the youth movement on defense. The Bengals are looking to utilize the young talent that has gone neglected in recent years and pushing more young players into key defensive roles. More than that, they are embracing their identity as a young, feisty, chippy defense.

So what does that mean for Trey?

Obviously, he is their best defensive player, and they need him out there, but how does the veteran fit in to the Al Golden age? He said he wants to be a captain. Is he the kind of leader this group needs?

After the Bengals gave up the smallest concession imaginable so that his future former agent could save face after making himself, Shemar Stewart is in the house. How has he been received? How has he looked?

We transition from the most talked about players of the offseason to the least talked about player of the offseason: Jermaine Burton.

The way his rookie season went, no news is good news with Burton, and fortunately all has been quiet. Now we are starting to see why the Bengals were so excited about him as he has been a camp standout making big plays left and right.

And let’s not forget about Ja’Marr Chase and his well-deserved 99 rating in Madden. Taco-bout impressive. Amirite?

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• Who has been impressing in the first few days of training camp?
• What's going on at right guard?
• Which rookies have been impressing?
• Did Shemar Stewart finally sign with the Bengals?
• Any updates on Trey Hendrickson?
• And more!

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You think this podcast is going to be about the same two guys that every Bengals podcast has been about lately, don’t you? Well, it isn’t. We will talk about that guy and the other guy too, but only briefly.

We want to be a little different. So let’s talk about quarterbacks, specifically the new Cincinnati Bengals quarterback who doubles as the old Cincinnati Bearcats quarterback, Desmond Ridder.

How did he get here?

Why is he here?

What does it mean?

Could they trade Browning?

Are they hoping to develop Ridder and trade him?

They also picked up former 1st Round pick Taven Bryan who could bring a boost to the interior pass rush is defensive line coach Jerry Montgomery can get him right?

Speaking of former 1st Round picks, Noah Fant in the house. I know ya’ll love to make fun of Drew Sample for being a blocking tight end, but it appears they are now just going for tight ends who don’t like to block. Good receiver though so this could be fun.

The list of running backs on this team is suddenly as long as a Tolstoy novel with the depth of Atwood and the intrigue of Flynn, which is to say it’s good. Chase Brown broke out a year ago, the reliable Samaje Perine returns, Zack Moss is ready to give it another go, and Tahj Brooks is the exciting newcomer.

So we got that going for us, which is nice.

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• Bengals training camp is set to kick off this week!
• Mike Brown addressed the media and talked about the hopes of Trey Hendrickson getting extended and frustration Shemar Stewart being unsigned.
• Duke Tobin and Stewart's agent, Zac Hiller, had a public back-and-forth about Stewart's contract status.
• The Bengals made six moves preceding camp--can Desmond Ridder and Taven Bryan make the final roster?
• Cincinnati has both good and bad news regarding players coming back from injury.
• And more!

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-Dave Lapham and Lemar Parrish are the newest members of the Bengals' Ring of Honor.

-Who should be the nominees in the 2026 class?

-A to Z Sports' Ryan Roberts talks about Al Golden's potential impact on the Bengals' defense this year.

-Can Howard Cross III make a push onto the Bengals' final roster?

-What does Roberts make of some of the other members of the Bengals' 2025 draft class?

-T.J. Watt is signing a mega-extension with the Steelers--what is the impact of that contract on Trey Hendrickson?

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Joe Burrow is not a rah-rah guy, and he knows it. He isn’t trying to be someone else, but that doesn’t mean he can’t be a leader.

He doesn’t point fingers when things go wrong, but he is fast to give praise to others when they go right.

How does he communicate with his team? How does he keep them focused? How does he keep them motivated? How does he work with his head coach, Zac Taylor?

He is respected throughout the league. Steve Spagnuolo calls him the best in the business (other than their guy).

Pass-rushers complain that he is getting the ball out too fast.

Countless players tell him he is awesome between plays. In fact, players who would go on to earn Super Bowl rings a few months later argue about who will get his jersey after the game.

The Chase’s think he’s a bad dude.

We get a look behind the curtain at how Burrow and his fashion stylist Kyle Smith give him those great dame day welk in looks, even if he wears it backwards or without a shirt underneath.

Burrow grew up watching American Idol and the Biggest Loser with his mom. Now he doesn’t know how to use his laundry machine or fix anything around the house.

I blame Simon Cowell because Randy Jackson would never...

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Joe Burrow is al about details. He and Ja’Marr Chase know each other so well, that they always seem to be on the same page. Chase knows where Burrow is going to put the ball in a certain situation. Burrow knows how to get Chase a ball that he can convert not only to a catch, but to yards after the catch.

From the subtlest of gestures to discussions about how they ran a certain route five years ago. These two have got communication figured out.

Joe Burrow is a high-energy human being. He can’t stand being on a boat because he feels like it’s too much of a time commitment and he can see everything pretty quickly.

He watches documentaries but gets bored. So he watches YouTube videos and teaches himself to play the piano. Then he sets up stations with activities around his house and spends fifteen minutes at a time doing different things to keep himself engaged.

When the season approaches, he can feel his energy build.

During the season he reminds himself to stay disciplined and consistent, He must not get bored with the monotony of the season.

He ends the season watching a game at home by himself eating what appears to be a Rueben or maybe some sort of pastrami sandwich with coleslaw. Either way, he can’t do anything to change the outcome of the AFC East game he is watching, and he knows that sucks.

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Joe Burrow loves playing football, but he doesn’t like how it puts him in the public eye. His business is out there for all of use to see. Unlike my job and your job, millions of people are watching every time he makes a mistake.

He doesn’t like his private life being out there, but in this documentary it was. We saw a lot of who he is as a competitor on the field and as just a regular guy.

He gets razzed by his friends for wearing “chainmail leather.”

He bleaches his hair like he’s playing rhythm guitar for Nirvana.

When he pops a griddy, he asks his friends how it looked.

And every Monday night, he gets on the sticks with his boys from Athens.

Then there is the other Joe Burrow.

The competitor.

This is the guy who hates how it feels to lose and is willing to do whatever it takes not to feel that way. He is addicted to winning.

He thinks conservatively at the beginning of the year, but he gets aggressive when he faces a top offense or top quarterback.

He hates mistakes. He hates mental breakdowns. He doesn’t think screaming and yelling is the answer to those problems.

He loves short weeks because it means less install and more execution.

From family brunch with the Chase’s to Batmobile buyer's remorse, we talk about it all.

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• The Netflix series "Quarterback" is must-watch TV for Bengals fans.
• Joe Burrow's multi-faceted personality was on full display throughout the series.
• Some touching moments were aired on "Quarterback" when Burrow and his parents talked about his childhood.
• ESPN is releasing top-10 positional players in the league--where do Bengals players rank?
• Which Bengals players could appear on the list next year?
• And more!

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I get it! Believe me I get it.

Let me tell you a little something, the grass isn’t always greener, and if you take a look around the AFC North, that is what you’ll find.

So, the Bengals haven’t been as active. Neither have the Ravens or the Browns. In his 2000 classic On the Grind Nelly said “All money ain’t good money, but no money ain’t good.” While the aforementioned teams may be making “no acquisitions,” not all acquisitions. are good acquisitions. *cough Aaron Rodgers

The Steelers are usually very consistent. They have a way of team building that is pretty consistent, but they seem to have lost their way.

They just recently made a “Blockbuster trade.” I capitalized “Blockbuster,” because I assume the reason they gave the trade that title is that it would have been much more relevant years ago. They may have acquired Jalen Ramsey, but Minkah Fitzpatrick was the best player in that trade and he’s out the door. They brought in DK Metcalf, who is an upgrade on George Pickins for obvious reasons, but it would have been a much better idea to pair him with Pickins.

The Ravens haven’t done much this offseason and have a mix of aging vets and big projections in key places. Jaire Alexander is a name, but he has not been able to stay healthy. DeAndre Hopkins is not the man he was in Houston. Did they really move the needle at all?

The Browns are frankly confusing. Seriously, what are they trying to do? The drafted two quarterbacks in the mid rounds. They spent a bunch of money on a guard they probably don’t need. They made some good picks, but it almost seems like they are building depth for the future and not trying to win games now.

I don’t know about you, but I’m starting to feel a little better.

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-Former Bills first round pick and 11-year NFL veteran John Fina discusses the NFL and AFC landscape.

-Fina talks about the Bills' offseason, their recent rivalry with the Bengals and what is ahead for both teams this year.

-Fina makes predictions for the Bengals' and Bills' 2025 seasons.

-Fina reminisces about his career and affinity for Bengals great Anthony Munoz.

-The Bengals have come to an agreement with Hamilton County--what happens in a decade with the stadium?

-Does the agreement mean more headway can be made with Trey Hendrickson and Shemar Stewart?

And more!

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No, Trey Hendrickson is not getting traded. That is the fetch of NFL rumors. Stop trying to make it happen. No, Shemar Stewart is not going to enter next year’s draft. That would be downright nutty.

Both Hendrickson and Stewart seem to have the support of their teammates. For their part, both Orlando Brown and Joe Burrow seem pretty confident.

Trey Hendrickson is working out in Cincinnati at Black Sheep Performance (No connection to the Chris Farley/David Spade film of the same name). He hosted a youth football camp in Dayton last weekend. He’s doing charity events for Cincinnati Children’s Hospital wearing his jersey and Ted Karras’s hat. All of these things seem to be very good signs that the Trey Hendrickson drama could be nearing an end.

Then there is Shemar Stewart. This drama just won’t die.

His agent had a conversation with Chrisitan Fauria and Bleav’s own Solomon Wilcots and he said a lot of things that you would expect him to say, but he did make a couple of comments that are pretty telling.

Plus, we talk about what Chris Tucker and Zac Taylor have in common: P.H.A.T.

Taylor wants his Physical Hungry Accountable Team. Me, I just want Rush Hour 4: Commuter Lane.

Besides, maybe there a better, more up to date acronym for the 21st century?

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-Upcoming players and position battles to watch.

-Players who turned heads in early workouts.

-Trey Hendrickson and the Bengals have resumed talks...we'll see...

-It's a big year for the Bengals' special teams units

-And more!

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-Shemar Stewart airs some dirty laundry about his contract negotiations with the Bengals.

-Trey Hendrickson is also holding out of minicamp, as he seeks an extension of his own.

-Germaine Pratt is now a Raider.

-It's a HUGE year for Dax Hill.

And more!

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-What is James' opinion of the Bengals' offseason?

-What are the biggest concerns with the team's draft class?

-What has James seen from Al Golden in person at OTAs?

-Who are the most intriguing players with the Bengals entering minicamp?

-Everything Trey Hendrickson

And more!

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Burton may just take the cake. It started moments after he was drafted when his former head coach, a usually stoic Nick Saban, noticeably cringed. Saban praised neither the pick nor the player. He didn’t even talk about potential. He simply stated that Burton had a lot of maturing to do.

It continued with missed walk-throughs, healthy scratches, evictions, and worst of all, an alleged domestic assault.

I don’t think it is a stretch to say that most Bengals fans were ready to move on from Burton, but the Bengals were not.

Then: Silence.

Let’s face it, when it comes to Burton, no news is good news.

We went almost 5 months without hearing his name, which means he went the same amount of time without getting himself in trouble.

Now there have been a lot of whispers coming out OTAs that Burton may be on the right track. Zac Taylor and Joe Burrow have praised him. Burton has talked about his mistakes and the mentorship he has received from veterans like Ja’Marr Chase, Tee Higgins, and B.J. Hill of all people.

He has a long way go to earn any trust from, well, anybody, but don’t we all love a redemption story.

Matt and Willie break down the Jermaine Burton Saga from New Moon to Breaking Dawn.

Be sure to subscribe to Bleav in Cincy to hear the latest from the whole crew on everything Cincinnati Bengals! In addition to Matt and Willie Know Ball, you’ll hear from the Orange and Black Insider, Bengal Jim and Friends, and Three-and-Out.

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-Trey Hendrickson's contract holdout continues as OTAs commence.

-The Bengals ad Shemar Stewart are at a contract impasse, as Cincinnati is attempting to insert new contract language into his first round deal.

-Charlie Jones has flashed, but injuries have caused his pro career to sputter. Can he take the next step in year three?

-The Bengals have plans for Cam Sample on defense, but he'll need to prove valuable under new defensive coordinator Al Golden to be in the team's longer-term plans.

-And more!

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It looks like NFL Players will be allowed to compete in the 2028 Los Angeles Olympics much to the chagrin of the US National Flag Football Team (who have notably played and grown the sport, not to mention won multiple world championships over the last several years.)

Anywho... Matt and Willie have a flag football fantasy draft selecting only current Cincinnati Bengals players, but here is the catch, not one can play their natural position.

That's right, quarterbacks can’t play quarterback, offensive skill players can’t play receiver, defensive linemen can’t be pass-rushers, and defensive backs can’t play in coverage.

You got it?

A couple of things to note. There is no blocking in flag football, even on running plays. Also, the field is 70 yards long and only 25 yards wide.

On offense you get a quarterback and four receivers, one of who snaps the ball. Defensively you get one pass rusher and four coverage guys.

Here are the teams they came up with. They justify each pick after making the selection. Who do you think did better?

The Wild-Matts aka the Mild-Cats

QB/WR - Cam Taylor-Britt

WR - DJ Turner

WR - Shemar Stewart

WR - Tycen Anderson

WR - D.J. Ivey

Pass Rusher/QB - Demetrius Knight

DB - Ja’Marr Chase

DB - Tee Higgins

DB - Jermaine Burton

DB/PR - Logan Wilson

Steamboat Willies

QB - Chase Brown

WR - Geno Stone

WR - Trey Hendrickson

WR - Dax Hill

WR - Barrett Carter

Pass Rusher - Amarius Mims

DB - Joe Burrow

DB - Jake Browning

DB - Andrie Iosivas

DB - Tanner McLaughlin

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On this week’s edition of “Matt and Willie Know Ball” we look to the future. The Bengals extended Joe Burrow, Ja’Marr Chase, and Tee Higgins. Yeah, even Higgins. Nobody thought they would do it, but they did it. Duke Tobin told the rest of the NFL to go get their own and he meant it. To paraphrase Ariana Grande (also notable for extensions) “You want ‘em. We got ‘em.”

Who could the Bengals look to extend in the next year?

Could it be a veteran offensive lineman? Perhaps the purveyor of a well-known haberdashery
Maybe the Bengals newly announced Canadian interests would couple nicely with a Chase Brown extension
It could also be another young pass-catcher with an Ivy League pedigree
Maybe a young defensive end will step up or Geno Stone will go off this year

We also discuss the Bengals Ring of Honor. After adding Tim Krumrie and Corey Dillon a year ago, the most obvious picks are already in. The Bengals Ring of Honor voting could be a much tighter race in 2025. Matt and Willie make their picks. Perhaps the voice of the franchise or someone who went to the Brown/Blackburn Alma Mater could be next.

And then there is the news that the NFL has voted to allow their players to participate in Olympic Flag Football. What’s that all about?

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-Trey Hendrickson and the Bengals continue their public stalemate.

-Aside from Cincinnati's desire for Hendrickson to honor his other recent contract extension, they are also continuing to maintain their long-standing precedent with players and contract issues.

-John and Anthony break down the Bengals' schedule game-by-game and give a way-too-early record prediction.

And more!

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No, he not that guy either.

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-The Bengals have signed a number of their rookies already.

-Geno Stone took a pay cut--is that a sign of a forthcoming Trey Hendrickson extension, or maybe more safety additions in free agency? Neither?

-Can Cordell Volson hang on to the starting left guard spot this year?

-Will Cam Taylor-Britt show that he can be a solid long-term starter at corner in 2025?

And more!

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Follow @CoachMinich on Blue Sky and @Willie_Lutz on X

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-What's the latest with Trey Hendrickson?

-What positions might the Bengals be monitoring in post-draft free agency?

-It's a make-or-break year for Jermaine Burton in just his second pro season.

-Can Geno Stone carry over his late-season heroics from 2024 to become more reliable under Al Golden?

And more!

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-We recap the team's six selections and contemplate their fits.

-What's next for the team?

-What did we make of their draft strategy?

-Some UDFAs that have caught our eye.

And more!

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-What does Shemar Stewart bring to the table right away?

-Just how big of a risk is Stewart?

-Who are some of the names and at which position groups the Bengals could be targeting on Night 2?

And more!

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-What's the latest, if anything, with Trey Hendrickson?

-It appears that Cincinnati is looking at defensive line in the first round.

-Who are players likely to be picked in round 1 by Cincinnati?

And more!

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-A comprehensive list of top-30 visits conducted by the Bengals with incoming prospects before the draft.

-Relaying a few notable comments on prospects from NFL Network's Daniel Jeremiah from a media conference call we were on this week.

-We break out "The Wheel of Defensive Linemen" and give a handful of mini previews at random.

-We unveil our first three-round mock of the draft season.

And more!

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-The Bengals and Hamilton County are bouncing proposals back and forth for some massive upgrades in Paycor Stadium.

-Many of the proposed changes put forth by the Bengals are in the name of "fan engagement".

-Cincinnati has been meeting with a lot of local guys for pre-draft visits--particularly those from THE Ohio State.

-We break out "The Wheel of Prospects" and give you a handful of mini-profiles of intriguing defensive linemen.

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• What's the latest with Trey Hendrickson and the talks with the Bengals?
• The longer the contract impasse lingers, the worse it is for Cincinnati.
• What are the strengths and weaknesses of Lucas Patrick?
• Is he in the team's starting plans this year?
• A late-first-round to early-second offensive lineman provides flexibility and intrigue.
• And more!

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• Ja'Marr Chase and Tee Higgins have officially signed blockbuster extensions to remain with the Bengals
• What is the context behind the deals and what got it done?
• What's the latest on Trey Hendrickson?
• The Bengals will be making more moves in outside free agency--where might they look?
• Is Brandon Scherff a realistic option for the team?
• And more!

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• Reports say the deals to Ja'Marr Chase and Tee Higgins are "done"!
• What's next for the Bengals in free agency?
• What is happening with Trey Hendrickson?
• What's next for them?

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-We give an update on the comings and goings with Bengals players.

-How big on an impact will the early signings provide?

- What’s next?

-What’s the inkling on Trey Hendrickson’s future?

And more!

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-Trey Hendrickson has been granted permission to seek a trade with other teams. What's the reaction and implications?

-Sam Hubbard has retired as a Bengal. While we celebrate his career, the Hendrickson news brings more defensive line questions for Cincinnati.

-Might the Bengals focus on the interior of the lines in outside free agency and then edge in the draft?

-Joey Bosa could be a stopgap solution at end, particularly with his career being on the left side left vacant by Hubbard.

-And more!

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-The Cincinnati Bengals made a wise, albeit somewhat-frustrating decision to place the franchise tag on Tee Higgins for the second year in a row.

-Alex Cappa was released, paving the way for a new starting right guard and providing cap flexibility to extend some of their stars.

-Who else might not be re-signed and/or released?

-Tate Ratledge of Georgia tested well in Indianapolis and should be a prime Night 2 target for the Bengals.

-Some love for throwback Bengals running back, Garrison Hearst.

-And more!

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-Duke Tobin had some optimistic comments about the futures of Ja'Marr Chase, Tee Higgins and Trey Hendrickson.

-Zac Taylor noted that the Bengals are looking to completely change-up their offseason approach to avoid a slow start.

-Ole Miss's Walter Nolen would be a solid pickup at No. 17 overall.

-Daniel Jeremiah provided valuable insight on this year's class, which favors the Bengals in their roster re-tooling.

-And more!

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-The Bengals are reportedly looking to place the franchise tag on Tee Higgins again this year.

-There are caveats with "cash spend", "cap space" and "non-exclusive tag" designations.

-The salary cap has jumped roughly $53 million since 2023 and this year's cap is projected to be in the $280 million range.

-What does this jump in the salary cap mean for the Bengals, their stars and outside free agency?

-A local Cincinnati product could bring depth and starter potential in this year's class at a major position of need.

-And more!

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-Germaine Pratt has reportedly requested a trade: Was it because of the new defensive coordinator, team financials, or both?

-Joe Burrow continued his polite public lobbying of the Bengals' pivot to spending big money this offseason.

-One familiar name in free agency could bolster the team's rebuild on defense--even if on a short-term deal.

-An incoming rookie running back could be the perfect complement to Chase Brown.

And more!

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-The Bengals were largely snubbed at the NFL Honors annual award ceremony--why?

-Joe Burrow made some eyebrow-raising comments on Radio Row this week.

-Along with Burrow's comments, Cincinnati's star players with contract questions have publicly put the offseason onus squarely on Bengals ownership.

-What's the confidence level in the secondary going into 2025?

-And much more!

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-What led to the slow start for the Bengals this year?

-His embracing of a mentorship role for Amarius Mims and his impressions of him as a rookie.

-His interpretation of "The Patriot Way" and comparisons between Tom Brady and Joe Burrow.

-His ranching background and ways for fans to get high-quality meats for the big game!

And more!

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-Al Golden gave Bengals Nation positive vibes in his introductory presser.

-Duke Tobin had his own interesting comments about the Bengals' free agency approach this week.

-What's next for Tee Higgins, Ja'Marr Chase and Trey Hendrickson?

-What are the lessons the Bengals should be learning from the Eagles and Chiefs to make their own Super Bowl run?

And a big announcement!

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• The Bengals have selected their position coaches for the offensive and defensive lines. They not only have a track record of success, but some have experience in the AFC North.

• Al Golden appeared to have been the favorite the entire time for Cincinnati's defensive coordinator job.

• Is Golden qualified for the job? Is his familiarity his biggest asset?

• How, if at all, does Notre Dame's lackluster performance on defense in the National Championship Game play into perceptions?

• What were some of the biggest whiffs in Bengals' recent free agency history?

And more!

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-What's the latest on the Bengals' assistant coach search?

-We often talk about each passing offseason as the most important...but each one that doesn't lead to a Lombardi Trophy makes the following spring of utmost urgency.

-Who are some early intriguing draft prospects for the Bengals?

-What do we think happens this weekend in the Divisional Round?

And more!

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• Cincinnati made an admirable run at things towards the end of the year, including a big win in Pittsburgh. Will that momentum roll over in 2025?
• The Bengals let go of four coaches on "Black Monday", including defensive coordinator Lou Anarumo and offensive line coach Frank Pollack. Who are the best replacements?
• Zac Taylor noted in his Monday presser that he and management are on the same page of re-signing both star wide receivers.
• How much slack does Taylor have going into next season?
• And more!

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-Is it a surprise that the Steelers are in the playoffs this year?

-What is the legacy and current viewpoint of Steelers fans regarding Mike Tomlin?

-What is the future of the quarterback position with Pittsburgh?

-Does Mark think they'll win this pivotal Week 18 matchup?

And more!

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-The Bengals largely dominated the Browns--more fool's gold?

-Is Cincinnati's defense finally turning a corner? Can they do enough for the team, should they make the postseason?

-Recapping the AFC North Christmas Day games.

-Who are the key names this week in the crucial Broncos/Bengals matchup?

-Ticket giveaway!

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• The Bengals endured four turnovers and double-digit penalties to beat the Titans.
• Should we have a "quality of wins" conversation?
• Players who struggled early in the year are continuing to help get late-season wins.
• What was the seemingly-heated conversation about between Joe Burrow and Zac Taylor at the end of the game?
• A look at the playoff picture.

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Check them out on iTunes

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• A number of unlikely heroes played roles in the Bengals’ win over Dallas.
• More fool’s gold in the win over the Cowboys, or start of a streak towards the playoffs?
• What does the current playoff picture look like?
• Tee Hggins reportedly is parting ways with David Mulugheta—what does this mean for the Bengals and his chances of staying?
• The Bengals meet with old friend Brian Callahan in Tennessee this week.
• And more!

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-What is difference in front office staffing between the Bengals and the Steelers/Ravens?

-What is the Bengals' identity?

-What coaching staffing changes, if any, are expected to be made?

-Is it better for the Bengals to make an omprobable run, or keep losing for draft position at this point?

And much more!

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-"The Steelers Difference"

-Noting the roster construction of both teams and how Pittsburgh maintains success.

-Taking a look at the similarities and differences of Mike Tomlin and Zac Taylor seen in "Hard Knocks".

-Who are the key players this coming Monday night?

And more!

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-Joe Burrow's concern about his wrist in colder temperatures.

-Is this the most important regular season game in Zac Taylor's head coaching career?

-What needs to happen for the Bengals to win?

-Just how good are the Steelers?

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-Which coaches are on the hot seat?

-Who are good replacements?

-Is the defense fixable this time of year?

-The Bengals' 2024 free agency class is a disaster.

-Where do they go from here?

And more!

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-What were the key issues against the Chargers?

-What's next for this team?

-"The Bengals Difference" between their team and other AFC powerhouses.

And more!

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• His thoughts on the Bengals' win over the Raiders and impressions of the team at 4-5.
• What does he make of the modern day roles and profiles of slot receivers?
• Housh gives his thoughts on Jermaine Burton.
• What did Marvin Lewis do to bring changes to the Bengals in the early years?
• What does Housh make of the Bengals' late surges?
• Would he have wanted to be on "Hard Knocks"?
• His experience at the Bengals game this past Sunday and what he's doing with Tide
• And more!

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-Injury Report

-Who needs to step up?

-What are the keys to a win?

-Marvin Lewis reflections

And more!

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Follow us if you want informed Bengals takes that aren't just pissing and moaning from guys who know ball. @CoachMinich @Willie_Lutz

"Birdie" by Graveyard Club sampled with permission

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• Why are the Bengals seemingly looking desperate in games?
• What are the major issues with the team and who is to blame?
• Is this fixable?
• This feels like 2006-2007 and 2016-2017.
• The latest on the injuries to Tee Higgins and Orlando Brown, Jr.

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-What's going on with the Injury Report?

-How big of an impact is it that Tee Higgins is questionable this week?

-Who needs to step up if Higgins plays and who else does if he doesn't?

-Predictions and more!

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Subscribe, like you've never subscribed before.

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-What is the latest with the injuries to Bengals starters?

-What were the good and bad elements to Cincinnati's victory on Sunday?

-Have the last two wins proven legitimacy, or was it mere fool's gold?

-Weekly awards

And more!

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-What's been the key to the defensive turnaround?

-How important was that "players only" meeting for the defense?

-How important was that elusive win in Cleveland last Sunday?

-His volunteer efforts with the Cincinnati Freestore Foodbank.

And more!

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The Bengals defense showed improvement last week, but the offensive took a step back. Matt and Willie discuss what they need to do to win in Cleveland.

"Birdie" by Graveyard Club used with permission

Follow us on Twitter @CoachMinich @Willie_Lutz

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-The Bengals grab the must-needed win.

-The script was flipped in that the Bengals' win came largely by quality defensive play, not explosiveness on offense.

-What are the continuing issues, as the Bengals attempt to get their season back on track?

-There are no gimmes in the NFL, but the next few weeks seemingly provide the opportunity to work out kinks.

-Who were the MVPs and what was the play of the game on Sunday night?

And more!

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1.) What do we make of the defense's "Players Only Meeting"? Is it an effective practice?

2.) Would the Bengals have had a different result last week against the Ravens if Mike Hilton had been available?

3.) Where does the trade for B.J. Hill with the Giants rank in Bengals history?

4.) The Bengals are getting much healthier.

5.) What are the key matchups and keys to a Bengals win?

And more!

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-What is going on with the team?

-What are the biggest issues and how can they fix them?

-Is this season salvageable?

-Who's to blame?

And more!

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-Justin from Ingraven Vids breaks down the success of Derrick Henry in the Baltimore offense.

-Has Lamar Jackson stopped playing "hero ball"?

-What are the weaknesses of the Ravens' defense?

-Two great kickers face-off again this Sunday...might this be the true baton passing?

-What are the keys to a Bengals win?

And more!

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"Birdie" by Graveyard club used with permission. - Check them out on iTunes

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-The offense is cruising, with many contributing.

-Erick All, Jr. and the dual running back attack is starting to work at a high efficacy.

-The defense is an issue, but returns could bring them back to average, at a minimum.

-Ryan Rehkow has been a great special teams weapon.

-Injury and potential return updates

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-Amarius Mims addressed the media as his is poised to take over the starting right tackle spot.

-Robert Cohen spoke with us about his book, "The 50 Greatest Players in Cincinnati Bengals History".

-This Sunday's matchup is all about Andy Dalton and Joe Burrow--they are both coming off of stellar performances last week.

-What do the Bengals need to do to get in the win column this week?

-Who are the key players?

-And more!

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Subscribe - It will get better (The season not the show, we are what we are)

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-What happened on the field Monday night?

-What is happening off of the field? Joe Burrow and the coaches privately confer, contract issues linger.

-Where is "the clutch gene" in this year's Bengals team?

-Is it going to get exponentially better with the return of defenders who are on I.R.?

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-The Bengals are extremely thin at the interior of the defensive line.

-Cincinnati may getting some relief with a potential Tee Higgins return.

-Joe Burrow had effusive praise for a couple of rookies on offense.

-What are the weaknesses of the Commanders for the Bengals to exploit?

-Reminiscing about the two Ring of Honor inductees.

-And more!

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-The officiating was a factor, but not the deciding one.

-A number of missed opportunities by the Bengals late in the game cost the team.

-How did the various position groups perform?

-What were the encouraging and discouraging signs this week?

-And more!

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-Former Kansas City offensive lineman Joe Valerio talks about his observations from the Chiefs in their Week 1 win over the Ravens.

-What are the the Chiefs' weaknesses? Joe Valerio discusses potential vulnerabilities.

-Might this be a blowout on Sunday?

-Who needs to step up their game for the Bengals this Sunday?

-What are the matchups to watch?

-Predictions and more!

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Follow us on Twitter (no one calls it X) @CoachMinich @Willie_Lutz

"Birdie" by Graveyard Club sampled with permission.

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-The new additions on the roster had a rough debut with the Bengals.

-Tackling, mental mistakes and unforced errors were all on display this week.

-What's going on with Joe Burrow and the offense? Are these slow starts just to be expected annually?

-What do the Bengals need to do for a quick and needed turnaround against the Chiefs this week?

-And more!

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--We asked Solomon Wilcots about his observations on the Ravens vs Chiefs Thursday nighter.

--What does Wilcots make of Chase's Friday comments regarding his contract status?

--The Bengals are facing injuries-how can they overcome them this week?

--What's the deal with the words and culture from the Ravens' locker room?

--And MUCH more!

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• Erick All, Jr. talks about being healthy and ready to contribute right away this year.
• The rookie tight end has learned a lot from the talented position group thus far.
• While the Bengals remain confident and focused, his teammates have prepped him on the rough-and-tumble AFC North.
• John and Anthony chronicle the Ja'Marr Chase situation.
• Is this the best roster in the Zac Taylor era?
• What are the troubling spots?
• And MUCH more!

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• John and Anthony took an early look at the Colts game.

-Who is sneaking on the roster at this point?

-Which position groups might the Bengals go light and which are crowded, as final cuts loom?

-What are some of the areas of the roster in which the Bengals may address on the waiver wire?

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"Birdie" by Graveyard Club sampled with permission of the copywrite holder. Check them out on iTunes.

Subscribe and tell your friends!

Follow @CoachMinich and @Willie_Lutz on the app formerly known as Twitter

Did I mention you should subscribe?

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-The Bengals are rocking out a new, snazzy jersey combo!

-Evan McPherson gets PAID!

-What's the latest on the injury front?

-What were we looking for going into what became the Bengals' drab loss to the Bears in preseason Week 2?

-And more!

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Follow @CoachMinich and @Willie_Lutz on Twitter

"Birdie" by Graveyard Club sampled with permission. Check them out on iTunes.

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-What did we make of the starters' performance?

-Who shined and who needs to step up more?

-What should the plan be for the starters the rest of the preseason?

-And more!

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-Bengals football is back!

-What do we want to see out of the starters on Saturday?

-What should the goals be in an exhibition game such as this?

-Who will we be watching and what positions are most intriguing?

-Rey Maualuga makes his return to the jungle on Saturday!

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Follow us on Twitter, or X if you're nasty, @CoachMinich @WillieLutz

"Birdie" by Graveyard Club sampled with permission from the copyright holder. Check them out on iTunes, they've got kind of a freaky old school Tear for Fears vibe, you'll love it.

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-Is the Amarius Mims hype just "puff-piece" stuff, or is it legit?

-Who's the third wide receiver?

-We look back at Jake Browning's performance towards the end of the 2023 season.

-Which undrafted player has the best chance to sneak on the final roster at this point?

And more!

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-How much do the Bengals' offseason acquisitions and departures move the needle for the Bengals' outlook this year?

-What is the effect of D.J. Reader leaving the Bengals?

-What about the changes on offense?

-How will the Bengals fare this year?

-John and Anthony also look at the sights and sounds from the first week of camp.

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Follow Matt and Willie on the platform formerly known as Twitter @CoachMinich and @Willie_Lutz

"Birdie" by Graveyard Club sampled with permission. Check them out on iTunes

If you are still reading this, I admire your dedication to finishing things.

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-Is this the most important summer and subsequent season in team history?

-The Bengals' young receivers are turning heads in the first week of training camp.

-Amarius Mims is getting first-team reps with Trent Brown on the NFI list.

-The talk around Ja'Marr Chase's contract not being done is bringing up old, tired and irrelevant narratives.

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-What are the top-3 things to be most excited about heading into Training Camp?

-What are the Top-3 Mysteries?

-What are the Top-3 Concerns?

-Plus, a "Remember Him?" that features a player who lives in a little bit of infamy.

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-Was anyone surprised that Tim Krumrie made the class?

-What does Corey Dillon getting inducted do for his Hall of Fame bid?

-Who has the inside track for the 2025 class?

-Bengals training camp is kicking off--what is the latest with the team this summer?

And more!

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Find us on the app former known as Twitter @CoachMinich and @Willie_Lutz

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Listen to see where the Bengals landed.

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Following Matt and Willie on Twitter if you're into that sort of thing @coachminich @willie_lutz

"Birdie" by Graveyard Club sampled with permission.

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-Who's the third running back in the mix?

-What's the deal with veterans Chris Evans and Trayveon Williams in the competition?

-Could a fifth-year linebacker really breakout for the first time in his career in 2024?

-We look back to the 2005 squad for an unheralded hero in another "Remember Him?".

-And more!

Subscribe to the OBI YouTube channel here.

Keep it to Cincy Jungle for Bengals news.

The referenced A to Z Sports article on Elijah Collins is here, and the one on Noah Cain is here.

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Listen to find out who made it and who didn't.

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Will Sam Hubbard bounce back?

What will Cam Sample's role be?

What even happened to Joseph Ossai?

Myle Murphy = The Truth

"Birdie" by Graveyard Club used with permission.

Follow @Willie_Lutz and @CoachMinich on Twitter

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-Ted Karras signs an extension.

-Tee Higgins signed his franchise tag tender--what should we take away from him signing it earlier than expected?

-The Bengals are appearing on "Hard Knocks" again. This time it's towards the end of the season with the rest of the AFC North.

-What were some of our past favorite Bengals "Hard Knocks" moments?

-One young defensive lineman could be poised to be a breakout player for Cincinnati this year.

-And more!

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-What should be the expectations for the running backs this year?

-Trent Brown made his first appearance as a Bengal and there were some intriguing lineup looks seen at minicamp.

-Chase Brown should be an explosive member of the offense this year.

-We look at a couple of past Bengals who were unsung favorites on their respective rosters.

-Let's not forget that Ted Karras is sticking around for another year!

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Plus, we compare Ja'Marr Chase shoe updates to Joe Mixon's old cryptic Tweets, back when Tweets were Tweets.

Follow @CoachMinich and @Willie_Lutz on the app formerly known as Twitter

If you had a podcast, we'd subscribe.

"Birdie" by Graveyard Club used with permission.

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They'll tell you why.

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Follow us on Twitter because nobody calls it "X"

@CoachMinich @Willie_Lutz

"Birdie" by Graveyard Club used with permission

If you are still reading this, what are you waiting for? Hit play!

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-The wide receiver group is missing a couple of stars from OTAs, but the team is getting a good look and Jermaine Burton and others who could have impacts this year.

-What are the predicted snap counts for the rookies this year?

-We look at one defensive and one offensive player who kick off the 2024 Potential Breakout Players list

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A handful of players on the roster last year will be supplanted, and you won't BELIEVE who Jason left out.

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The same for Matt Lee.

"Birdie" by Graveyard Club used with permission

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-John and Anthony discuss the return of Trey Hendrickson to OTAs and the scuttlebutt with the wide receiver group.

-Who are the favorites to make the Ring of Honor this year?

-Who are a few dark horse candidates for the Ring of Honor?

-Which new acquisition (free agency and the draft) on offense and defense will have the biggest impacts this year?

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What is the future of the wide receiver position?

What is the future of the tight end position?

There may or may not be a Cole Burgess tangent. (SUNY Cortland in the house!)

There definitely are Erick All puns.

"Birdie" by Graveyard Club used with permission

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--Cincinnati has five primetime games this year!

--Unfortunately, two are Thursday night games...

--The Bengals have to split the division, at a minimum.

--What games could be trap ones for Cincinnati?

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--Predictably, Tee Higgins and Trey Hendrickson are absent from the workouts.

--More longtime mainstays are off to new places, with Markus Bailey and Tyler Boyd going to Arizona and Tennessee, respectively.

--A lot of people are questioning the long-term viability of Joe Burrow as he comes back from his wrist issue. What does a prominent orthopedic surgeon think?

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Who Dey!

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-What's the latest on Tee Higgins and Trey Hendrickson?

-How does John feel about the Bengals' 2024 draft class?

-What is the current outlook for the team?

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On this episode:

--Is this the best offensive line Joe Burrow has had in his pro career?

--What's going on at running back?

--How are the stand-offs going with a couple of Bengals stars?

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-John gives his final analysis of the Bengals' 2024 Draft class.

-We assess the value and how Day 3 might have been the best day of the Draft for the Bengals, despite the fanfare of Rounds 1-3.

-What does Draft weekend coming and going mean for the Bengals and the trade requests of Tee Higgins and Trey Hendrickson?

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Who Dey!

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