The Bengals’ roster building is in the period teeming with college pro days, prospects visiting Paycor Stadium and signings announced any day. The common theme is complementing Burrow and his offense that has the most touchdown passes in the NFL over the past five seasons.
“We’ve got one of the hardest pieces of the puzzle in Joe Burrow,” said Brown last week, heading into his fourth Bengals season. “I’m very confident. We’ve got a lot of special players and a lot of special men in that locker room.”
On his first day as a Bengal the next day, Allen said pretty much the same thing.
“I want to go somewhere where we have a chance to compete, and where I feel like I can showcase my talents and help the team at the same time. And this is one of the few places where I felt like I could have my cake and eat it, too,” said Allen, a two-time Pro Bowler ranked as one of the top ten defensive tackles on Pro Football Focus’ free agency board.
“When you have a guy like Burrow, you always have a chance. You’re never out of it. And you know, with the coaches we have here and the players that they already have in and they’ve been bringing in, I just felt like this was the perfect fit for me and my family.”
In the first hours after the season, Tobin vowed to attack the front. He did in the first hours of free agency when they reached a three-year, $60 million deal with Mafe, PFF’s fourth-ranked pass rusher. That helped put the Bengals third overall in the average per year of free-agent deals, where they are 10th in doling out first-year money.
“They have to be able to pressure the passer,” Tobin said the first week of the offseason. “You’d like to be able to pressure with four. I think we need pass rush. I think that relieves some of the strain on the coverage. So I’m a guy that believes in the front on both sides of the ball. That is my focus.”
The Brown extension and Risner’s one-year re-up means the Bengals go into Opening Day with their most experienced offensive line together in head coach Zac Taylor’s eight seasons. And their best. In 2025’s final dozen games, the Bengals were top five in the league in lowest sack percentage, touchdown passes and passing yards.