Locked On Bengals - Daily Podcast On The Cincinnati Bengals

Dalton Risner said he really wanted to run it back in Cincinnati, and now that we've seen his contract details that include $1.75 million in incentives, it's fair to say he meant it. The Bengals got a great deal for a starting right guard that leaves them with plenty of flexibility for everything we expect them to do this offseason. Jake Liscow and James Rapien dive into the details, why it's a go...

Cincinnati Bengals coaches and front office members had major praise for safety Jordan Battle during the 2026 NFL Combine. James Rapien and Jake Liscow react to the praise and discuss the possibility of a contract extension for the fourth-year safety. Does it make sense? How much does timing matter? They also react to Al Golden's comments about the defense and the type of players the Bengals will...

The Cincinnati Bengals have seen the first two dominoes fall this offseason. They re-signed Dalton Risner, and they did NOT franchise tag Trey Hendrickson.  Alex Frank, Jake Liscow, and Coach Art Valero discuss what these moves mean for the Bengals in the early stages of the offseason and for the potential roster in 2026.  A recent report came out that Caleb Downs had a degenerative ACL and a part...

The Cincinnati Bengals aren't using the franchise tag on star defensive end Trey Hendrickson. Are they making a mistake? Will they get a compensatory pick? James Rapien and Jake Liscow react to the news, explain why things broke down for Hendrickson and the Bengals, plus they look at a possible trade for Minnesota Vikings Pro Bowl pass rusher Jonathan Greenard! Everydayer Club If you never miss an...

What if the Bengals' most coveted defensive prospects in the draft aren't available when they're on the clock in the first round? Jake Liscow and James Rapien debate a pick between two players at non-premium positions in Sonny Styles and Jeremiyah Love in the first round, and then try to cover their defensive bases by snagging fallers at positions of need on day 2 in this week's mini mock draft Mo...

The Cincinnati Bengals re-signed Dalton Risner to a one-year contract on Monday. It's a major move to solidify the offensive line and protect star quarterback Joe Burrow. James Rapien and Jake Liscow explain why they were surprised at the one year deal worth up to $5 million, why it's great to have Risner back in the fold ahead of free agency, plus what it means for Burrow and an offensive line th...

The Cincinnati Bengals desperately need defensive line help this offseason. Will Rueben Bain Jr. fall to them in the first round? Should they take him even though there are questions about his arm length? What about Clemson defensive tackle Peter Woods?  James Rapien and Jake Liscow react to an eventful week for the defensive linemen in Indianapolis, what they need to see from both Bain and Woods...

Bengals director of player personnel and de facto general manager Duke Tobin said he NFL Combine this week that he's "never not been all in." So, how should Bengals fans view those comments?  Alex Frank and Coach Art Valero discuss how they feel about them and what it could mean for the Bengals and the upcoming free agency period.  One position that hasn't been talked about a lot this offseason ha...

Everyone with eyes knows the Bengals have serious needs to turn around their defense in 2026, but explosiveness appears to be more key than ever to winning football games, and an offense featuring Joe Burrow, Ja'Marr Chase, and Tee Higgins hasn't been explosive for years now. Jake Liscow and James Rapien discuss how the Bengals can change that going forward, from dynamic scheme adjustments that we...

Duke Tobin sounds a bit gun shy about a big swing this offseason, but that doesn't mean the Cincinnati Bengals won't make additions to the club. It just sounds more like business as usual - hopefully meaning more like the 2021 offseason and not the 2025 version that only saw the Bengals add TJ Slaton as a starter money external free agent. Jake Liscow and James Rapien break down what that sort of...

Duke Tobin's annual media session in Indianapolis yielded updates on the Bengals' outlook on Dalton Risner, Trey Hendrickson tag-and-trade scenarios, and the team's general disposition heading into the talent acquisition part of the NFL calendar. Jake Liscow and James Rapien break down the most notable takeaways in day 1 of their coverage of the 2026 NFL Combine. Everydayer Club If you never miss...

With the start of free agency less than two weeks away, help could be on the way for the Cincinnati Bengals in the form of two former Cincinnati Bearcats.  Alex Frank and Mike Santagana discuss how Kansas City Chiefs safety Bryan Cook and Seattle Seahawks cornerback Coby Bryant, who are both Super Bowl champions, could give the Bengals a major boost at both safety and cornerback.  How could Bryan...

The Cincinnati Bengals have plenty of offseason needs. They also have a lengthy offseason check list. They need to get things started with a successful week in Indianapolis at the NFL Combine. James Rapien and Jake Liscow explain why the futures of Trey Hendrickson, Dalton Risner and plenty of other free agents could be decided this week. They also talk about what they're hoping to hear from Duke...

Caleb Downs could be an awesome pick for the Bengals at #10 overall if he lives up to expectations and is a game-changer in the NFL. But what if the other positions they want to attack get picked over before their second round pick? Jake Liscow and James Rapien navigate that scenario in today's mini-mock draft Monday! Everydayer Club If you never miss an episode, it’s time to make it official. Joi...

It's easy to compare Chase Brown to Javonte Williams in the wake of Williams' new deal that could be the framework for the Bengals and Brown in extension talks. Jake Liscow and James Rapien break down the similarities and differences between Brown and Williams, and discuss whether the Bengals should really be allocating resources to the running back position. Plus, we want to throw our support beh...

Cincinnati Bengals star defensive end Trey Hendrickson is going to get PAID. Jake Liscow and James Rapien react to the latest contract projections for Hendrickson, what it means for the Bengals and how they should approach the possibility of using the franchise tag on the star pass rusher. Everydayer Club If you never miss an episode, it’s time to make it official. Join the Locked On Everydayer Cl...

If Minkah Fitzpatrick is available for a trade, should the Bengals be interested? He's still good, so Jake Liscow and James Rapien say that if the price is right, Cincinnati should be IN! The guys discuss what the trade for Fitzpatrick would cost, how his versatility and experience would fit on defense, and why a hypothetical trade shouldn't preclude drafting Caleb Downs. Plus, we examine a few po...

Even though the Bengals need a major restructuring on defense, it may be very hard to pass up drafting Jeremiyah Love at No. 10 if he's still on the board.  Alex Frank and Coach Art Valero discuss how the Bengals could ABSOLUTELY benefit by drafting Jeremiyah Love in the first round, and how it could take Joe Burrow and the Bengals' offense to another level.  Who is the best defensive player in th...

Al Golden made some big changes to simplify and transform the Bengals' approach in defense in the second half of the 2025 season, and a lot of that is exemplified in Demetrius Knight's changing role, blitzing more, and playing more man coverage. Jake Liscow and James Rapien are joined by Cody Alexander (@the_coach_a, MatchQuarters.com) to discuss his breakdown of how Golden's defense evolved, impr...

Jalen Davis is back with the Cincinnati Bengals. His return is more significant than some fans realize. James Rapien and Jake Liscow break down why Davis’ return is important for the Bengals’ secondary, how he fits into Al Golden's defense, and what this move says about the team’s depth heading into 2026. They also discuss how Davis fits with Dax Hill, DJ Turner II, his leadership and more! Everyd...

If Arvell Reese or Rueben Bain are available for the Bengals at pick #10, you might be doing backflips on your way to the podium. But Sonny Styles is also a great defensive prospect that should be in consideration for Cincinnati's first round pick. Jake Liscow and James Rapien are joined by Mike Santagata to break down 3 more defensive prospects who could be in consideration for Al Golden's defens...

The Cincinnati Bengals have plenty of intriguing options in the 2026 NFL Draft, including Texas Tech pass rusher David Bailey and Ohio State safety Caleb Downs. Jake Liscow and James Rapien are joined by Mike Santagata of BengalsTalk.com to discuss Bailey and Downs, what they'd add to the defense and which one he'd take if both players were available in the first round! Everydayer Club If you neve...

The Bengals' defense did have some positive steps in the second half of the 2025 season. They just may be hard to find.  FOX19's Gabi Sorrentino joins Alex Frank and Coach Art Valero to discuss where the Bengals' defense improved in 2025 and what they can build on going into 2026. It's also not just the defense.  The Bengals must be better in other key areas if they're going to return to the Playo...

The Cincinnati Bengals need help on defense. They get it in our first mock draft of 2026! From David Bailey to Caleb Downs, the Bengals have plenty of juicy options to pick from. James Rapien and Jake Liscow make some tough decisions in their two-round mock draft. Everydayer Club If you never miss an episode, it’s time to make it official. Join the Locked On Everydayer Club and get ad-free audio,...

The Bengals didn't suddenly repair their relationship with Trey Hendrickson in the last few months, and their history unfortunately tells us that they're willing to play the comp pick game. Jake Liscow and James Rapien break down why they still expect Hendrickson to depart this offseason, even though there's a strong argument that he'd make them better, and how there's barely a path to receiving a...