Locked On Bengals - Daily Podcast On The Cincinnati Bengals

Four years ago today, the Bengals played in Super Bowl LVI. It was an incredible high for the franchise, that has mostly been perceived as a losing franchise through their first nearly six decades of existence. Unfortunately, that losing reputation is still prevalent four years later.  Alex Frank, Mike Santagana, and Coach Art Valero reminisce on Super Bowl LVI four years ago and today, and what i...

The Bengals have to make a decision about Myles Murphy's 5th year option this offseason after he started to show signs of development late in 2025. They've got a pressing need to improve their pass rush and a history of picking up 5th year options, so it wouldn't be surprising if Bengals to keep Murphy for an extra year and bank on continued progress.  Jake Liscow and James Rapien break down how m...

Restructuring Joe Burrow's contract could create more than $19 million of cap space for the Cincinnati Bengals in 2026 without affecting Burrow's bottom line. Jake Liscow and James Rapien break down exactly what a "restructure" means, how it creates cap space at minimal cost, why Burrow wouldn't be opposed, and why it could signal a more impactful offseason of talent acquisition for a front office...

The Cincinnati Bengals have to add multiple key pieces to their roster this offseason, but should they cut some of their familiar faces to free up extra cap space? Jake Liscow and James Rapien break down the case to make cap-saving moves with Orlando Brown Jr, TJ Slaton and other veterans. Moving on from Brown would be wildly risky with minimal upside, there's and there's a good chance Slaton coul...

Regardless of what the Bengals ultimately decide to do with Trey Hendrickson, it is paramount that there is no drama and it does not linger into any part of the offseason program.  Mike Petraglia of CLNS Media joins Alex Frank, Jake Liscow, and Coach Art Valero to break down where things stand between the Bengals and their All-Pro edge rusher. What should the Bengals do with Hendrickson?  It was r...

Will the Cincinnati Bengals "REALLY SPEND" this offseason? The latest report from Ian Rapoport indicates that the front office knows they have to build around Joe Burrow and give him more support. Jake Liscow and James Rapien react to the news from Rapoport, what it could mean for the Bengals' offseason plans, plus they react to Super Bowl LX and what we can learn from the Seattle Seahawks! Everyd...

Wait, the Cincinnati Bengals are considering the franchise tag for Trey Hendrickson after all? We assume that'd be for a tag-and-trade, but it's encouraging to hear that they're at least considering the option. Jake Liscow and James Rapien break down why that's good news and would make sense for the Bengals to try to recoup an asset for Hendrickson instead of just letting him walk. Plus, we take a...

All signs point to the Bengals and Trey Hendrickson moving on this offseason. But is there any way, any situation in which he could be back in 2026? Alex Frank, Mike Santagana, and Coach Art Valero discuss if it is a foregone conclusion that Hendrickson will not be a Bengal in 2026 and who the Bengals could replace him with.  Speaking of the Bengals' defense, what is the confidence level in defens...

Ja'Marr Chase and Tee Higgins toured Super Bowl LX Radio Row on Wednesday, and were in sync when various media members asked what the Bengals need to do to get back to contention - it starts with the defense! James Rapien and Jake Liscow dive into Chase and Higgins' big fish hunting mentality chasing Maxx Crosby or Jeffery Simmons and how realistic it is for the Bengals to pull off one of the move...

Joe Burrow’s happiness has become a national talking point as the Cincinnati Bengals face scrutiny after missing the playoffs for a third-straight year. Jake Liscow and James Rapien break down Burrow’s Pro Bowl comments about being happy and what the future could hold for the star quarterback and the Bengals. The guys also explain why Zac Taylor’s eighth year is playoffs-or-bust as they look back...

Dan Pitcher was quietly drawing interest from NFL teams after Tampa Bay hired Zac Robinson, and Troy Walters turned down the Bears for an offensive coordinator interview, so it looks like the key players on the Bengals' offense staff will return for 2026. Jake Liscow and James Rapien break down the ramifications as the Bengals also added Davis Koetter to the offensive staff, signaling small change...

Joe Flacco will always be fondly remembered by Bengals fans for coming over in a mid-season trade and far exceeding expectations with his on-field performance. Given that, and Joe Burrow's history, it would be wise for the Bengals to resign him for the 2026 season.  The Bengals have plenty of talent on offense, but depth is still important. Which position, on that side of the ball, should the Beng...

Caleb Banks looked healthy at the Senior Bowl and suddenly is being discussed as the potential top defensive tackle in the 2026 NFL Draft Class. CBS Sports' lead draft analyst Mike Renner joins the guys to break down Banks and other Senior Bowl standouts including T.J. Parker, and we dive into a primer on the draft class. It's a good year to need a safety - and we get into the best role for Caleb...

Trey Hendrickson's pending free agency really should never arrive - even with the bridge burned, the Cincinnati Bengals should obviously exercise their right to the franchise tag and prepare to tag-and-trade their star pass rusher before free agency. Jake Liscow and James Rapien break down why a trade makes so much more sense than trying to play a losing compensatory pick game, especially since th...

The Bengals' defense needs rebuilding across the board. There are starters needed on all three levels, including some levels with multiple starters needed. Alex Frank, Mike Santagana, and Coach Art Valero get into why the safety position should be priority No. 1 on the Bengals' offseason check list to rebuild their defense.  Great, game-changing safeties are made by having a dominant defensive fro...

The Cincinnati Bengals have a tough decision to make when it comes to Chase Brown's future. Will they sign him an extension? Will he play out the final year of his contract? James Rapien and Jake Liscow discuss the dilemma with Brown, why an extension could make sense, but why they're hesitant to call Brown a "need" the same way Tee Higgins was last offseason. Speaking of Higgins, they react to th...

The AFC North has filled out their coaching vacancies, so we have to ask if Zac Taylor is a better coach than Mike McCarthy, Jesse Minter, and Todd Monken. Jake Liscow and James Rapien break down the landscape of the AFC North with their new head coaches in place, and how Taylor stacks up with the rest of the division. The Bengals are selling a vision of continuity, but need to execute in a critic...

Will the Cincinnati Bengals meet the standard set for them this offseason? If they do, it'll mean spending significant money toward top positions in free agency, including pass rusher. Jake Liscow and James Rapien wrap up how they see the big priorities for the Bengals to add talent, then dive into where they're concerned the Bengals might not see it the same way. We discuss whether they'll make a...

The Bengals have en elite quarterback and an elite wide receiver duo. In addition, regardless of how you view him, Zac Taylor played a large role in the Bengals going to Super Bowl LVI. With all of them in place going into 2026, can the Bengals recapture their 2021 magic and not only get to the Super Bow, but win the Super Bowl in 2026? Alex Frank, Jake Liscow, and Coach Art Valero discuss that po...

The Bengals may feel like their offensive starters are mostly in place for 2026, but that doesn't mean they can't get better on that side of the ball in an offseason that will be focused on fixing the defense. Jake Liscow and James Rapien break down the priorities for the Bengals on offense, starting with right guard (Dalton Risner), and including key backup positions like quarterback and swing ta...

The Cincinnati Bengals face a make-or-break offseason as their defensive deficiencies threaten another season with Joe Burrow. Can the front office land a game-changing pass rusher or transform the secondary with a top safety? Upgrades are needed at defensive end, defensive tackle, safety, and linebacker as Trey Hendrickson’s departure looms and depth remains a concern. Jake Liscow and James Rapie...

Andrei Iosivas has flashed potential from his rookie season, but he hasn't put all of that potential together just yet. Can he finally do that in 2026?  Over the last two seasons, we have seen the Bengals' tight ends have a larger role in the offense. It's been a key feature in Dan Pitcher's offense. With Pitcher increasingly likely to remain as the Bengals' offensive coordinator, could we see an...

When Cordell Volson got a player performance escalator raise in 2025, the Bengals reworked his contract to save a little money. They're set to have four players qualify for PPE raises this year as 2023 draftees have carved out big roles on their rookie contracts. Jake Liscow and James Rapien break down how the Bengals should approach raises for DJ Turner, Chase Brown, Jordan Battle, and Andrei Ios...

With the Baltimore Ravens and Buffalo Bills both changing head coaches this offseason, and Patrick Mahomes already a three-time Super Bowl champion with Andy Reid in Kansas City, Joe Burrow and Zac Taylor, who went to the Super Bowl four seasons ago, will go into their seventh season together in 2026. Have they already peaked? Are they destined to decline this season?  There's a five-year rule tha...

As Dan Pitcher has completed his first interview with the Tampa Bay Buccaneers, the Bengals are risking the continuity they planned for 2026. Should Zac Taylor have considered giving up offensive play calling duties to keep Pitch in the building? Jake Liscow and James Rapien break down the arguments on both sides of the play calling discussion, and update the latest on Tampa's offensive coordinato...