Tag: bengals

Feb 8, 2026; Santa Clara, CA, USA; Seattle Seahawks quarterback Sam Darnold (14) throws a pass against the New England Patriots in the first half in Super Bowl LX at Levi's Stadium. Mandatory Credit: Kirby Lee-Imagn Images

Seahawks open title defense with Super Bowl rematch vs. Patriots

Posted on | by Field Level Media

For the first time since 2016, the first game of the NFL season will be a Super Bowl rematch.

The Seattle Seahawks will begin their title defense on Wednesday, Sept. 9 when they host the New England Patriots, the team they dominated for a 29-13 Super Bowl LX victory on Feb. 8.

This was one of the marquee matchups announced when the NFL announced its full 272-game schedule for the 2026 season Thursday night.

It’s the fourth straight season that will feature a Super Bowl rematch.

Seattle’s schedule also includes games against the three prior Super Bowl champions, with a Week 8 home game against the Kansas City Chiefs (Oct. 25), where their Super Bowl MVP running back Kenneth Walker III now plays, and a trip to see the Philadelphia Eagles in Week 15 (Dec. 19).

The Seahawks will face the Los Angeles Rams, who they beat in the NFC Championship Game, twice in the final three weeks of the season on Christmas Day (home) and Jan. 10 (road) in the regular-season finale.

No. 1 overall pick quarterback Fernando Mendoza is likely to make his NFL debut for the Las Vegas Raiders when they host the Miami Dolphins in Week 1 on Sunday, Sept. 13.

A few teams which leapt into last season’s playoffs will have to work to make it back-to-back postseason appearances.

The AFC South champion Jacksonville Jaguars will close their regular season with seven of their final 10 games away from home.

The NFC South champion Chicago Bears have the hardest 2026 schedule based on their opponents’ combined 2025 win percentage (.550). Their schedule concludes with a game at Buffalo, home matchups against Green Bay and Detroit and a road trip to Minnesota, presenting a hard path in what should again be a closely contested division.

Conversely, the Cincinnati Bengals, who are coming off their first losing season since 2020, have the third-easiest schedule per last year’s win percentages (.450). Opening against Tampa Bay, Houston, Pittsburgh and Jacksonville presents a challenge, but eight of their nine games after that are against teams that weren’t in the playoffs last season.

The Kansas City Chiefs, looking to bounce back from missing the playoffs for the first time with Patrick Mahomes at QB, don’t seem to have an easy path back to the postseason. The final seven weeks of their schedule includes consecutive road games at Buffalo, the Los Angeles Rams and Cincinnati as well as games against New England (home), San Francisco (home), the Los Angeles Chargers (road) and Las Vegas Raiders (home).

Super Bowl LXI, to be held at SoFi Stadium in Inglewood, Calif., will conclude the season on Sunday, Feb. 14.

–Field Level Media

Aug 18, 2023; Atlanta, Georgia, USA; Cincinnati Bengals against the Atlanta Falcons during the third quarter at Mercedes-Benz Stadium. Mandatory Credit: John David Mercer-Imagn Images

Bengals, Falcons to square off in 2026 Madrid game

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The Atlanta Falcons will face the Cincinnati Bengals when the NFL plays its second regular-season game in Madrid, Spain, on Nov. 8 at Santiago Bernabeu Stadium, the league announced on Tuesday.

The NFL also played a game at the 70-year home of soccer power Real Madrid last November, when the Washington Commanders lost 16-13 in overtime to the Miami Dolphins and quarterback Tua Tagovailoa, now on the Falcons.

The Week 9 contest, part of the 2026 NFL International Games, is scheduled for 9:30 a.m. (NFL Network) and was announced two days ahead of the full NFL schedule reveal on Thursday.

Quarterback Joe Burrow, whose Bengals went 6-11 last season, will be playing in his first overseas contest.

“The game has a lot of room to grow. Just like basketball did in the ’80s and ’90s,” Burrow said Tuesday after the announcement. “The Bulls kind of spearheaded that. Made it global and, hopefully, the Bengals can do the same thing over the next couple of years for the NFL.”

Cincinnati has played two international games, both in London — the most recent a 24-10 loss to the Los Angeles Rams at Wembley Stadium in 2019 in head coach Zac Taylor’s first season.

Kevin Stefanski is entering his first season as the Falcons’ head coach after becoming very familiar with the Bengals while at the helm of the AFC North-rival Cleveland Browns for the past six years.

Atlanta has played five previous regular-season games outside of the United States, with four in Europe. The Falcons played in Toronto (2013), London (2014, 2021, 2023) and Berlin last season, when they lost 31-25 to the Indianapolis Colts and finished 8-9.

“We are truly honored and deeply grateful for the opportunity to host the Cincinnati Bengals at the Bernabeu, one of the world’s most iconic venues,” Falcons president and CEO Greg Beadles said in a statement on Tuesday. “This matchup represents a unique opportunity to connect with fans in Spain, and we sincerely appreciate the NFL’s continued commitment to growing the game on a global stage. With the 2026 FIFA World Cup on the horizon, we are thankful for the opportunity to begin building meaningful connections with Spanish supporters who will also experience our great city of Atlanta on the world stage.”

–Field Level Media

Cincinnati Bengals defensive end Myles Murphy (99) wraps up Cleveland Browns quarterback Shedeur Sanders (12) in the first quarter of the NFL Week 18 game between the Cincinnati Bengals and the Cleveland Browns at Paycor Stadium in Downtown Cincinnati on Sunday, Jan. 4, 2026.

Bengals decline Myles Murphy’s fifth-year option

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Bengals defensive end Myles Murphy remains in the plans for Cincinnati’s rebuilt defense, but the franchise passed on the fifth-year option in his contract for the 2027 season.

Murphy would have been guaranteed $14.5 million under terms of the option structure. The decision was made ahead of the Friday deadline for teams to exercise the standard fifth-year option for 2023 first-round picks.

Vice president of personnel Duke Tobin said after the draft that the Bengals see a future for Murphy despite adding defensive help at multiple positions via trade, free agency and the draft.

“By the end of the year, he was a problem for teams. He’s a guy that we believe in,” Tobin said of Murphy.

Murphy was the 28th overall pick in 2023 out of Clemson. He turned 24 in January and had 5.5 sacks last season but only 8.5 in 47 games in the NFL.

Cincinnati spent its top pick in 2025 and 2026 on defensive ends. Shemar Stewart was the 17th overall pick in 2025 and the Bengals took another Texas A&M edge rusher with the No. 41 pick last week.

The Bengals traded their first-round pick, the 10th overall selection, for Giants nose tackle Dexter Lawrence prior to the draft.

–Field Level Media

Nov 16, 2025; East Rutherford, New Jersey, USA; Green Bay Packers quarterback Jordan Love (10) scrambles away from New York Giants defensive tackle Dexter Lawrence II (97) during the first quarter at MetLife Stadium. Mandatory Credit: Robert Deutsch-Imagn Images

New Bengals DT Dexter Lawrence signs 1-year, $28M extension

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Three-time Pro Bowl defensive tackle Dexter Lawrence passed his physical and signed a one-year contract extension with the Cincinnati Bengals through the 2028 season on Sunday morning.

Financial terms were communicated through Win Sports Group, which informed multiple media outlets that the extension was worth $28 million.

Lawrence was acquired by Cincinnati from the New York Giants on Saturday in exchange for the No. 10 pick overall in the 2026 NFL Draft.

“We are excited to add Dexter to our team,” Bengals head coach Zac Taylor said. “He has been a dominant player in the league since he was drafted, and he will be a tremendous presence on the field and in our locker room.”

Lawrence, 28, requested a trade last week and did not report to the Giants’ offseason program, with reports that discussions over a contract extension had reached an impasse.

The Giants have three of the top 37 picks in the 2026 draft. That includes their original first-round pick — No. 5 — and Cincinnati’s selection, No. 10.

A 2019 first-round pick (17th overall) out of Clemson, Lawrence has recorded 341 tackles, 30.5 sacks and 103 quarterback hits in 109 games (102 starts) over seven seasons in New York.

Lawrence was selected to the Pro Bowl in 2022 through 2024, but not last season when he started 17 games and had 31 tackles, 0.5 sacks, four tackles for loss, eight quarterback hits and one interception.

Cincinnati already added to its defensive line with offseason signings of former Seattle Seahawks edge rusher Boye Mafe to a three-year, $60 million contract and former Minnesota Vikings tackle Jonathan Allen to a two-year, $25 million deal.

“The opportunity to add a player of Dexter’s ability was too good to pass up,” Bengals director of player personnel Duke Tobin said. “… Dexter fits the vision we have on our defense and will also elevate others around him. We are confident in Dexter and can’t wait to see the positive effects he and the other players we have acquired this offseason have on our football team. We are excited to turn to the draft and our remaining picks to further enhance our team.”

–Field Level Media

New York Giants defensive tackle Dexter Lawrence (97) gestures during a Thursday Night Football game between the New York Giants and the Philadelphia Eagles at MetLife Stadium in East Rutherford on Oct. 9, 2025.

Reports: Giants sending DT Dexter Lawrence to Bengals for No. 10 overall pick

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The New York Giants have traded three-time Pro Bowl defensive tackle Dexter Lawrence to the Cincinnati Bengals for the No. 10 pick overall in Thursday’s draft, according to multiple reports on Saturday night.

Lawrence, 28, requested a trade last week and did not report to the Giants’ offseason program, with reports that discussions over a contract extension had reached an impasse.

The Giants have their original first-round pick at No. 5 and now No. 10.

NFL Network reported on Saturday that the Bengals will be giving Lawrence a contract extension. He is set to earn a base salary of $18.5 million in 2026 and is under contract through 2027 but with no guaranteed money remaining.

A 2019 first-round pick (17th overall) out of Clemson, Lawrence has recorded 341 tackles, 30.5 sacks and 103 quarterback hits in 109 games (102 starts) over seven seasons in New York.

He was selected to the Pro Bowl in 2022 through 2024, but not last season when he started 17 games and had 31 tackles, 0.5 sacks, four tackles for loss, eight quarterback hits and one interception.

Cincinnati already added to its defensive line with offseason signings of former Seahawks edge rusher Boye Mafe to a three-year, $60 million contract and former Vikings tackle Jonathan Allen to a two-year, $25 million deal.

–Field Level Media

Nov 16, 2025; Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania, USA; Pittsburgh Steelers safety Kyle Dugger (29) intercepts the ball against the Cincinnati Bengals during the second half at Acrisure Stadium. Mandatory Credit: Charles LeClaire-Imagn Images

Agent: S Kyle Dugger signing one-year contract with Bengals

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Free agent safety Kyle Dugger is signing a one-year deal with the Cincinnati Bengals, his agent Drew Rosenhaus informed ESPN on Thursday.

Financial terms were not disclosed for Dugger, who opted to be a free agent in March after the Pittsburgh Steelers acquired him in a deal with the New England Patriots on Oct. 28.

Dugger, 30, signed a four-year, $58 million contract with New England in 2024 after receiving the transition tag. He totaled 59 tackles and two interceptions — one returned for a touchdown — in 16 games (13 starts) this season with the Patriots and Steelers.

The 2020 second-round pick has recorded 483 tackles, 4.5 sacks and 11 interceptions — three returned for touchdowns — in 90 career games (78 starts) with New England and Pittsburgh.

–Field Level Media

Cincinnati Bengals quarterback Joe Flacco (16) stands on the sideline in the second quarter of the NFL Week 14 game between the Buffalo Bills and the Cincinnati Bengals at Highmark Stadium in Orchard Park, N.Y., on Sunday, Dec. 7, 2025.

Reports: QB Joe Flacco, 41, returning to Bengals

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Joe Flacco garnered interest from the Las Vegas Raiders, among other teams, but opted to return to the Cincinnati Bengals and agreed to a one-year deal, multiple reports said Tuesday.

Per ESPN, the contract is $6 million, though incentives could elevate the deal to $9 million.

Flacco, 41, is entering his 19th NFL season after filling in for an injured Joe Burrow last season. With Bengals backup Jake Browning struggling, the Bengals shipped a 2026 fifth-round pick to the Cleveland Browns in exchange for Flacco and a 2026 sixth-round pick. Browning joined the Tampa Bay Buccaneers earlier this month.

In nine games (six starts) with Cincinnati in 2025, Flacco threw for 1,664 yards, 13 touchdowns and four interceptions while completing 61.7% of his passes. He threw for a career-high 470 yards in a loss to the Chicago Bears despite playing with a sprained AC joint in his throwing shoulder.

Flacco made his first Pro Bowl appearance in 2026 as a replacement at the Pro Bowl Games.

The MVP of Super Bowl XLVII with the Baltimore Ravens, who selected him in the first round (No. 18 overall) in 2008, Flacco has 272 touchdown passes and 172 interceptions, along with 48,176 passing yards in his career. Before joining the Bengals, Flacco also played for the Denver Broncos, New York Jets, Philadelphia Eagles, Indianapolis Colts and Browns.

–Field Level Media

Cincinnati Bengals linebacker Logan Wilson (55) rushes Los Angeles Chargers quarterback Justin Herbert (10) as he throws a pass in the third quarter of the NFL Week 11 game between the Los Angeles Chargers and the Cincinnati Bengals at SoFi Stadium in Inglewood, Calif., on Sunday, Nov. 17, 2024. The Chargers won 34-27.

Bengals postseason hero Logan Wilson retires at age 29

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Former Cincinnati Bengals star linebacker Logan Wilson announced his retirement at age 29 on Wednesday.

Wilson was a key cog in Cincinnati’s run to Super Bowl LVI, where the Bengals lost to the Los Angeles Rams to end the 2021 season.

“When I look back on my career, I just feel grateful,” Wilson wrote on Instagram. “Not many Wyoming kids get the chance to live out their dream in the NFL, and I never took a single snap for granted.”

Wilson recorded four straight 100-tackle seasons with the Bengals from 2021-24. He was voted a team captain for 2025 before being traded to the Dallas Cowboys midway through the season.

Wilson joined the Bengals as a third-round selection in 2020. He starred in the 2021 playoffs with a postseason-leading 39 tackles and a big interception.

“That 2021 playoff run was something special — the interception in Tennessee to send us to the AFC Championship, beating Kansas City to win the AFC, and taking the field in the Super Bowl,” Wilson said. “Those moments and that locker room are something I’ll carry with me forever. And the best part of all, my daughter was born there.”

Wilson had 70 tackles in 15 games last season while splitting the campaign with the Bengals (eight games) and Cowboys (seven). Wilson didn’t receive a single snap in a Week 17 matchup against the Washington Commanders.

Dallas waived Wilson on Feb. 20 to save $6.5 million in salary cap space.

Overall, Wilson had 565 tackles, 11 interceptions and seven forced fumbles in 83 games (66 starts) over his six NFL campaigns.

At Wyoming, Wilson was college teammates with Buffalo Bills quarterback Josh Allen. He intercepted 10 passes, returning two for touchdowns from 2016-19.

–Field Level Media

Aug 17, 2024; Miami Gardens, Florida, USA; Washington Commanders defensive tackle Jonathan Allen (93) warms up before a preseason game against the Miami Dolphins at Hard Rock Stadium. Mandatory Credit: Sam Navarro-Imagn Images

Reports: Bengals signing DT Jonathan Allen to 2-year, $26M deal

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The Cincinnati Bengals are set to sign defensive tackle Jonathan Allen to a two-year, $26 million contract, according to multiple reports Thursday.

The deal could be worth up to $28 million with incentives for the two-time Pro Bowl selection, ESPN reported.

Allen, 31, started all 17 games for the Minnesota Vikings last season and had 68 tackles with 3.5 sacks, seven tackles for loss, 11 quarterback hits and one fumble recovery.

The Vikings released Allen on Wednesday, the first day of the new league year, for salary cap considerations. Last offseason, the former Washington Commanders standout signed a three-year, $51 million contract with $31 million guaranteed.

Allen joins new Bengals edge rusher Boye Mafe, who left the Seattle Seahawks as a free agent and signed a three-year contract in Cincinnati valued at a reported $60 million.

Allen has 469 career tackles with 45.5 sacks, 67 tackles for loss, 129 QB hits, one interception, three forced fumbles and three fumble recoveries in 126 regular-season games (125 starts). He played his first eight seasons with the Commanders.

Washington selected Allen with the 17th overall pick of the 2017 NFL Draft out of Alabama. He was a Pro Bowl selection in 2021 and 2022.

–Field Level Media

Dec 28, 2025; Cincinnati, Ohio, USA; Cincinnati Bengals offensive tackle Orlando Brown Jr. (75) leaves the field after a game against the Arizona Cardinals at Paycor Stadium. Mandatory Credit: Katie Stratman-Imagn Images

Bengals OT Orlando Brown Jr., sans agent, confirms 2-year extension

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Bengals offensive tackle Orlando Brown Jr. represents himself in negotiations, and he confirmed another successful deal completed to stay in Cincinnati on a two-year contract extension.

Brown shared the news Thursday via X, posting, “Represented myself on this deal lol it’s a 2 year extension.” The Bengals also announced the agreement, but neither side disclosed the financial aspect.

The 29-year-old Brown has played eight seasons with the Ravens, Chiefs and Bengals. He joined Cincinnati in 2023 on a four-year, $64 million contract after two seasons and a Super Bowl championship in Kansas City. He originally was a third-round pick of Baltimore in 2018.

Brown, a four-time Pro Bowl selection, is signed through 2028 and called the agreement to stay in Cincinnati a “dream scenario.”

“Having that stability. Being somewhere I want to be. I think the feeling is mutual from upstairs down,” Brown told Bengals.com of the contract extension.

“The deal creates a sense of stability for myself and the organization. I didn’t necessarily feel the need to reset the market. We have great players in this locker room. It’s rare for a player to say, but making it team friendly … The way that I see it, it puts me and my family and the organization in a good spot.”

–Field Level Media