{"id":265748,"date":"2026-02-17T14:08:36","date_gmt":"2026-02-17T19:08:36","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/lastwordonsports.com\/nfl\/?p=265748"},"modified":"2026-02-17T14:08:36","modified_gmt":"2026-02-17T19:08:36","slug":"experts-expect-the-bengals-to-really-spend-history-disagrees","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/lastwordonsports.com\/nfl\/2026\/02\/17\/experts-expect-the-bengals-to-really-spend-history-disagrees\/","title":{"rendered":"Experts Expect the Bengals to ‘Really Spend’ – History Disagrees"},"content":{"rendered":"

Once again, the Cincinnati Bengals seem to find themselves in the midst of an incredibly pivotal offseason. After three straight seasons without playoffs, culminating in an ugly 6-11 performance in 2025, the Bengals are at risk of wasting yet another season of prime Joe Burrow<\/a> and company. There are obvious issues with the Bengals’ roster as it is currently assembled, with a few not-as-pressing holes. The defense needs an overhaul, full stop. On offense, the Bengals need a right guard, someone to help the unit get more explosive, and perhaps a tackle for the future.<\/p>\n

As expected, Burrow put pressure on the front office to actually do its job. Everyone overreacted to his “having fun” comments. While the immediate parallel was to Andrew Luck<\/a>, Burrow’s issues haven’t been with getting the hell beaten out of him because it’s part of the game. However, you have to imagine that the offense scoring at least 30 in 16 games over the last two seasons – the Bengals are just 9-7 in those games thanks to the historically porous defense – would be exhausting.<\/p>\n

So, with free agency right around the corner, everyone is expecting the Bengals to actually do something. Will they?<\/p>\n

Experts Expect the Bengals to ‘Really Spend’ – History Disagrees<\/h2>\n

On a segment on NFL Gameday, NFL Insider Ian Rapaport weighed in on the Begnals’ situation. He noted that teams will call to figure out the price for acquiring Burrow, to which the Bengals will (rightly) hang up the phone. However, he noted that the Bengals will take Burrow’s comments and “really spend” this offseason.<\/p>\n

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The Insiders on @NFLGameDay<\/a> with @JudyBattista<\/a>, @TomPelissero<\/a> & @MikeGarafolo<\/a>: Changes to replay assist are coming; #Dolphins<\/a> likely to move on from Tua Tagovailoa, plus latest on Tyreek Hill; #Bengals<\/a> plan to spend to support Burrow; No trade talks yet for #Eagles<\/a> WR AJ Brown. pic.twitter.com\/Nx39oIQWQx<\/a><\/p>\n

— Ian Rapoport (@RapSheet) February 8, 2026<\/a><\/p><\/blockquote>\n