Locked on Bengals with James Rapien

After the Houston Texans demolished the Cleveland Browns in the wildcard round, the guys look at how they put their roster together - besides premium rookie contracts - to find key pieces for their playoff run and how those lessons pertain to the Bengals in the 2024 offseason. Plus, we get into how the Bengals could potentially improve the OL, and why interior defensive line is such a priority to...

After the Houston Texans demolished the Cleveland Browns in the wildcard round, the guys look at how they put their roster together - besides premium rookie contracts - to find key pieces for their playoff run and how those lessons pertain to the Bengals in the 2024 offseason. Plus, we get into how the Bengals could potentially improve the OL, and why interior defensive line is such a priority to...

Draft Analyst Mike Renner (Renner Ranks Podcast, The Messenger) joins the guys for their first look at the 2024 draft class and how it lines up with what the Cincinnati Bengals may need this year. From Amarius Mims to Sione Vaki, learn about positions of strength and weakness in the class, and who ideal first round targets could be this year. Join the Locked On Bengals Subtext Community! https://j...

Draft Analyst Mike Renner (Renner Ranks Podcast, The Messenger) joins the guys for their first look at the 2024 draft class and how it lines up with what the Cincinnati Bengals may need this year. From Amarius Mims to Sione Vaki, learn about positions of strength and weakness in the class, and who ideal first round targets could be this year. Join the Locked On Bengals Subtext Community! https://j...

The guys break down a number of questions about the upcoming Cincinnati Bengals offseason in this week's mailbag episode. We rank the likelihood that several internal Bengals free agents will return (Joe Mixon, Jonah Williams, DJ Reader, Tee Higgins, Chidobe Awuzie, Tyler Boyd), look at why they'll necessarily make more moves in free agency, and more! Join the Locked On Bengals Subtext Community!...

The guys break down a number of questions about the upcoming Cincinnati Bengals offseason in this week's mailbag episode. We rank the likelihood that several internal Bengals free agents will return (Joe Mixon, Jonah Williams, DJ Reader, Tee Higgins, Chidobe Awuzie, Tyler Boyd), look at why they'll necessarily make more moves in free agency, and more! Join the Locked On Bengals Subtext Community!...

Head coach Zac Taylor doesn't anticipate coaching staff changes unless someone gets hired away by another team. The guys discuss what that means for the Bengals' future, where continuity may be challenged and fans wonder whether some coaches should be replaced. Trey Brown and Brian Callahan already have interview requests, and the guys discuss the expected returns for Frank Pollack and Darrin Simm...

Head coach Zac Taylor doesn't anticipate coaching staff changes unless someone gets hired away by another team. The guys discuss what that means for the Bengals' future, where continuity may be challenged and fans wonder whether some coaches should be replaced. Trey Brown and Brian Callahan already have interview requests, and the guys discuss the expected returns for Frank Pollack and Darrin Simm...

Bengals quarterback Joe Burrow met with the media to wrap the 2023 season, and the guys break down the big takeaways including his expectations for returning to throw, and Tee Higgins' future. Burrow also discussed the under center offense and how he might make some small changes to stay healthy in 2024.Join the Locked On Bengals Subtext Community! https://joinsubtext.com/lockedonbengals Find and...

Bengals quarterback Joe Burrow met with the media to wrap the 2023 season, and the guys break down the big takeaways including his expectations for returning to throw, and Tee Higgins' future. Burrow also discussed the under center offense and how he might make some small changes to stay healthy in 2024. Join the Locked On Bengals Subtext Community! https://joinsubtext.com/lockedonbengals Find and...

Zac Taylor said the Cincinnati Bengals would be trying to win their season finale, and they took care of business against an outclassed team of Browns backups on Sunday. We break down the standout performances from rookies, why winning the game mattered, and discuss the potential "end of an era" feeling with an offseason of roster churn in the offing. Join the Locked On Bengals Subtext Community!...

Zac Taylor said the Cincinnati Bengals would be trying to win their season finale, and they took care of business against an outclassed team of Browns backups on Sunday. We break down the standout performances from rookies, why winning the game mattered, and discuss the potential "end of an era" feeling with an offseason of roster churn in the offing. Join the Locked On Bengals Subtext Community!...

The Pittsburgh Steelers, Buffalo Bills, Jacksonville Jaguars, Indianapolis Colts, Houston Texans, Tampa Bay Buccaneers, Green Bay Packers, Seattle Seahawks, New Orleans Saints and Atlanta Hawks all fight for their playoff lives. Some with bigger odds than others, it all gets figured out in week 18 of the NFL and we break it all down. Support Us By Supporting Our Sponsors! BetterHelpThis episode is...

The Pittsburgh Steelers, Buffalo Bills, Jacksonville Jaguars, Indianapolis Colts, Houston Texans, Tampa Bay Buccaneers, Green Bay Packers, Seattle Seahawks, New Orleans Saints and Atlanta Hawks all fight for their playoff lives. Some with bigger odds than others, it all gets figured out in week 18 of the NFL and we break it all down. Support Us By Supporting Our Sponsors! BetterHelp This episode i...

The guys break down the Cincinnati Bengals' high motivation level heading into a season finale that "doesn't matter" in terms of the playoffs - but does matter for pending free agents, the guys in the locker room, and the culture. Plus, it gives the front office and coaching staff one final opportunity to get their young guys extending playing time before the offseason. Join the Locked On Bengals...

The guys break down the Cincinnati Bengals' high motivation level heading into a season finale that "doesn't matter" in terms of the playoffs - but does matter for pending free agents, the guys in the locker room, and the culture. Plus, it gives the front office and coaching staff one final opportunity to get their young guys extending playing time before the offseason. Join the Locked On Bengals...

In the final crossover episode of the season, Jake Liscow and Jeff Lloyd discuss who is going to play in the Bengals' regular season finale with both teams' playoff position sealed. Plus, we expect that the rivalry will keep the game intense, and why Cincinnati should get some extra run for some of their rookies before the season concludes. Join the Locked On Bengals Subtext Community! https://joi...

In the final crossover episode of the season, Jake Liscow and Jeff Lloyd discuss who is going to play in the Bengals' regular season finale with both teams' playoff position sealed. Plus, we expect that the rivalry will keep the game intense, and why Cincinnati should get some extra run for some of their rookies before the season concludes. Join the Locked On Bengals Subtext Community! https://joi...

In the first mailbag of 2024, Jake and James answer your many questions about the future of the Cincinnati Bengals. A lot of that starts around Tee Higgins' future, and what approach the Bengals take to his free agency, but it continues with more starting positions in the air than any year in recent history. We get into a preliminary discussion of the offseason and even a question on Dax Hill movi...

In the first mailbag of 2024, Jake and James answer your many questions about the future of the Cincinnati Bengals. A lot of that starts around Tee Higgins' future, and what approach the Bengals take to his free agency, but it continues with more starting positions in the air than any year in recent history. We get into a preliminary discussion of the offseason and even a question on Dax Hill movi...

With the Cincinnati Bengals officially eliminated from playoff contention for 2023, the guys turn their attention to what promises to be an interesting, complicated offseason. Between free agency and flaws that need fixed, we tee up some of the biggest priorities and questions to answer, take a peek at Week 17's snap count takeaways, and review the now set list of 2024 Bengals opponents. Join the...

With the Cincinnati Bengals officially eliminated from playoff contention for 2023, the guys turn their attention to what promises to be an interesting, complicated offseason. Between free agency and flaws that need fixed, we tee up some of the biggest priorities and questions to answer, take a peek at Week 17's snap count takeaways, and review the now set list of 2024 Bengals opponents. Join the...

The Cincinnati Bengals scored on their first three drives and had a strip sack mixed in to start the game - a 10 point lead on the road with Jake Browning playing great early football in Kansas City! But it wasn't enough, as recurring issues of explosive verticals and runs chewed the defense up and the offense couldn't find answers in the second half. The guys break down the biggest takeaways from...

The Cincinnati Bengals scored on their first three drives and had a strip sack mixed in to start the game - a 10 point lead on the road with Jake Browning playing great early football in Kansas City! But it wasn't enough, as recurring issues of explosive verticals and runs chewed the defense up and the offense couldn't find answers in the second half. The guys break down the biggest takeaways from...

Reaction to Joe Flacco and the Cleveland Browns against the New York Jets. The Dallas Cowboys and the Detroit Lions face off in a battle for positioning. The Miami Dolphins and the Baltimore Ravens battle for the AFC one-seed. Plus, the NFC has a huge mess of teams that could still make the playoffs. Who gets in between the Seattle Seahawks, Los Angeles Rams, New Orleans Saints, Atlanta Falcons, T...