Sports

Bengals summer storylines: Linebackers, contract extensions, and more

Nairavoice · Jun 13, 2026 · 5 min read

The NFL Draft is over, the rookies have been signed, and we’re just a few short days away from the Cincinnati Bengals’ mandatory minicamp, which runs from June 16-18. After that, we won’t see much from the Bengals — or the rest of the NFL — until training camp opens in mid-July.

As we enter the dog days of summer, here are a few storylines worth keeping an eye on.

The Bengals did some major work on their defense after missing the playoffs in back-to-back seasons. They traded the No. 10 overall pick to the New York Giants for Dexter Lawrence and signed him to an extension, completely reshaping the defensive line. They also added Bryan Cook, one of the top safeties available in free agency, along with Boye Mafe, Kyle Dugger, and Jonathan Allen.

Where they didn’t add much help was at linebacker or cornerback (outside of Ja’Sir Taylor). Cornerback is at least understandable. DJ Turner has emerged as a legitimate shutdown corner, and the Bengals still have Dax Hill, Jalen Davis, Josh Newton, and others in the mix.

But linebacker?

Last year’s starters, Demetrius Knight Jr. and Barrett Carter, sit atop the depth chart once again. According to PFF, they graded out as the league’s worst linebacker duo in 2025. Of course, both were rookies, and the defensive line in front of them was a disaster, so the blame doesn’t fall entirely on their shoulders.

Still, it’s surprising the Bengals seemingly ignored the position this offseason.

Assistant GM Steve Radicevic recently said the Bengals are “not done” making roster moves. Does that mean a veteran linebacker could still be on the way? There are a handful of experienced options available.

If the Bengals are going to pull that trigger, now feels like the time.

Speaking of Turner and Hill, both players are entering contract years and are scheduled to hit free agency after the 2026 season.

It’s unlikely the Bengals will be willing — or able — to extend both, but Turner feels like a candidate for a new deal before the season begins.

Both players are chasing lucrative second contracts, but Turner appears more likely to be part of the Bengals’ long-term plans. Hopefully, Hill plays out of his mind in a contract year, as so many players have before him, and both he and the Bengals reap the benefits.

Other players who could eventually find themselves in extension talks include:

Jordan Battle
Andrei Iosivas
Chase Brown
Charlie Jones

Myles Murphy technically belongs on this list as well, though the Bengals declined his fifth-year option, making an extension seem unlikely at this point.

Stewart is an athletic freak of nature. The Bengals selected him with the No. 17 overall pick out of Texas A&M despite the fact that he recorded just 4.5 sacks during his three-year college career.

He’s entering his second season in Cincinnati, listed behind Boye Mafe and Myles Murphy on the depth chart, but that could change. So could where he lines up.

According to WLWT’s Jaron May:

“The second-unit defense is running Cashius Howell at linebacker, bringing him down off the edge, and sliding Shemar Stewart to a three-point pseudo-tackle.”

The Bengals have gone from relying almost entirely on Trey Hendrickson for pass rush production to potentially having several contributors. Maybe none of them individually reaches Hendrickson’s level, but if multiple players can threaten double-digit sacks, the entire defense will benefit.

What does this have to do with the Bengals?

Probably nothing.

Still, I never thought in a million years that one of the NFL’s oldest and most storied franchises would seriously consider leaving Chicago and relocating outside Illinois. Yes, they’d still be in the greater Chicago area, and yes, there are plenty of financial and logistical reasons behind the move.

I still think it’s a mistake.

The New York Jets left the Polo Grounds and eventually joined the Giants in New Jersey. Ask enough longtime Jets fans, and they’ll tell you the franchise has never fully recovered its identity.

If it can happen in Chicago, one of America’s great cities, could it someday happen in Cincinnati?

Could we one day have the Florence Bengals? The Batesville Bengals?

I highly doubt it.

But if the Bears can leave Chicagoland…

Ugh.

There’s really nothing to talk about this time of year.

The Bengals will play their first international game since 2019 when they “host” the Atlanta Falcons in Madrid’s Bernabéu Stadium in Week 9.

The NFL is going global, and it feels like only a matter of time before a franchise permanently calls a city outside the United States home.

Did you make the trip to London back in 2019? If so, how was it?

More importantly, is anyone headed to Spain?

If you’re making the trip, document the adventure and share it when you get back.

When Paycor Stadium reopens for the 2026 season, fans will notice new escalators and stairways, upgraded restrooms, additional club-level seating, and several other improvements.

Those changes are just the beginning.

Last August, the Bengals and Hamilton County agreed to a new 11-year lease that includes roughly $470 million in stadium renovations. What fans see this year represents the first phase of that larger project.

The Bengals have released their training camp schedule, which includes 10 practices open to the public, highlighted by a Friday night practice inside Paycor Stadium.

It’s going to be hot.

Plan accordingly.