Cincinnati Bengals quarterback Joe Burrow believes the team is equipped to compete in 2026 after making significant roster changes this offseason.
"(The front office is) going to keep getting great players to come play for the Bengals, and when they do that, then it's my job and (head coach Zac Taylor's) job and the leaders of this team to bring the locker room together and then go execute on the field," Burrow said, according to team writer Geoff Hobson.
He continued, "We have everything we need."
Days before the draft, Cincinnati made a splash by acquiring star defensive tackle Dexter Lawrence from the New York Giants for the No. 10 pick.
Lawrence has been one of the most disruptive interior pass-rushers in recent years; his 198 pressures since 2022 rank fourth among all defensive tackles in the league, according to TruMedia. The 28-year-old entered the league as a first-round pick in 2019.
The Bengals also made a slew of other moves on defense, including signing safety Bryan Cook, edge rusher Boye Mafe, and defensive tackle Jonathan Allen in free agency.
"B. Cook, in the limited time he's been here, you can feel his presence early. Dexter too," Burrow said. "A lot of guys on the D-line now. You have Jonathan Allen. Myles (Murphy) is walking around with a little more pep in his step this year. That's exciting to see. I think he grew in confidence from the last five, six games. We need to carry that over, and I'm excited to see that."
Cincinnati has missed the playoffs each of the last three seasons after reaching the Super Bowl and AFC Championship Game during the 2021 and 2022 campaigns, respectively. The team's defense has been its Achilles heel, ranking 29th in EPA/play and 32nd in yards allowed per game since the start of the 2023 season.
The Bengals will kick off OTAs June 1, with mandatory minicamp beginning June 16.
